Did Japan PM's wife snub Trump by pretending not to understand English?

Donald Trump's explosive interview with the New York Times covered many topics but a part of it, where he claimed Japanese first lady Akie Abe did not understand English, gave rise to numerous speculations. Social media users were quick to point out Akie Abe's English skills and speculated that she had intentionally pretended not to know how to speak English only to avoid Trump, who was seated next to her during a G20 dinner, reports New York Times. Trump told a NYT reporter how awkward it was for him to be seated next to the Japanese first lady for nearly two hours as the latter did not speak English. “She’s a terrific woman, but doesn’t speak English … Like, not ‘hello’,” Trump said.

A false note here: Trump says that he sat next to Akie Abe at dinner & she speaks zero English: "Like, not “hello.” https://t.co/1JHOiWBEAV

— Motoko Rich (@motokorich) July 20, 2017

NYT Tokyo bureau chief Motoko Rich shot down the claim as “a false note.” Later, a video of Akie Abe delivering a keynote speech – in English – at a symposium in New York in 2014 surfaced, juxtaposing with Trump's claim. The theories then swirled that the first lady had in fact snubbed Trump without the latter realising it. Feminist writer Jessica Valenti suggested that Akie Abe had been faking it to avoid having a conversation with Trump. She does speak English but is not fluent. The first lady has always used interpreters during foreign tours or interviews with the media.

Akie Abe is my new hero. pic.twitter.com/WEnjBsrRQ3— Sam Thielman (@samthielman) July 20, 2017

Foreign affairs experts told the Washington Post that some foreign officials are concerned about protocol at formal multilateral events and worry about misspeaking if they use foreign tongues. A diplomat at the Japanese Embassy in Washington dubbed Trump’s remarks a “strange story”. Akie Abe has stuck feminist tones in the past and Trump routinely disrespected women. The NYT speculated that perhaps Akie Abe simply did not want to speak to a guy like Trump.