Donald Trump needs 'English to English' translator to understand G7 question asked in English

Donald Trump answered questions from reporters at the G7 summit in France this week but apparently struggled to understand a reporter.

The US president found himself in the middle of an awkward moment that has since gone viral when Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepped in as a translator after a Japanese journalist asked a question in English.

Trump was asked whether he has called on other G7 nations, such as Japan, Germany, or Great Britain, to send armed forces in connection with the Strait of Hormuz, and what specifically he has asked of Japan.

Trump appeared to struggle to understand the reporter’s question and turned to Rubio, who seemingly whispered the question in the POTUS’ ear.

Prior to this question and during the first stage of his exchange with the reporter, Trump claimed that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is his ‘biggest fan’ among world leaders.

Marco Rubio was there to help Trump with the question (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

“Japan’s doing very well,” Trump said at the press conference. “I have to tell you, she thinks I did a great job. You have to call her and ask her. She’s doing a very good job, by the way.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for the world’s oil and gas supplies. It was effectively closed since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran at the end of February.

But shortly before the G7 summit, the United States and Iran reached a preliminary peace deal that will include extending a ceasefire for a further 60 days and Tehran reopening the Strait.

Trump also said that despite the support he received from the Japanese leader, the nation decided against joining the war.

“Japan has offered to get involved, but I mean, I’ll be honest, Japan was not willing to get involved during the war,” Trump said.

The press conference clip went viral on social media, with spectators claiming Rubio has another job to add to his resume: English-to-English translator.

Donald Trump at the G7 conference (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) posted the clip and remarked: “OMG - Trump takes a question from a Japanese reporter but can't understand him despite the fact the guy is speaking clear English, so Marco Rubio has to act as an English-English translator for Trump.”

Another social media commentator said: “Marco Rubio has yet ANOTHER job - now as translator for Japanese reporters.

A third X user said: “Rubio becomes Trump’s translator… for English.”

Other viewers of the clip defended Trump and said the reporter was speaking very quickly. "The Japanese reporter was talking too fast and I also struggled to hear what he was saying without the help of the captions showing in the video," someone else explained.