After repeatedly referring to Kim Jong Un as “Rocket Man” both on Twitter and during a recent United Nations address, US president Donald Trump has issued a heartfelt public apology to the North Korean leader, the first of both his presidency and his life.
Following media backlash, Trump revealed that he had actually intended to call Mr. Un “Turbo Man,” in reference to a character from the film Jingle All the Way, a feel-good family comedy from 1996, directed by Brian Levant.
“It’s been a long time since I saw the movie,” Trump said, “and I confused the name with the guy from the Elton John song. But I definitely meant Turbo Man.”
Jingle All the Way stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California, as a father attempting to acquire a much sought-after Turbo Man action figure as a Christmas gift for his son.
“Yeah, it’s a great movie,” Trump said, “Really terrific. Even if it has failing governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. That guy’s not even that strong. I could pick up twice as much heavy stuff as him.”
Kim Jong Un has not yet issued a response to the apology, and his feelings about the film are unknown at this time. When asked about how his mistake and subsequent apology might affect relations with North Korea, Trump only had this to say:
“I bet he [Schwarzenegger] wasn’t even born in America. I want to see his birth certificate.”
Jingle All the Way was awarded two and a half stars by the late film critic Roger Ebert, and is currently available to own on DVD and Blu-Ray. The film can also be acquired as part of a double-feature set containing both Jingle All the Way and the holiday comedy Deck the Halls, starring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick.