Trump appears to not understand question about 'Western liberalism,' bashes SF instead

President Donald Trump meets with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Friday, June 28, 2019, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times) President Donald Trump meets with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Friday, June 28, 2019, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times) Photo: Erin Schaff / New York Times Photo: Erin Schaff / New York Times Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Trump appears to not understand question about 'Western liberalism,' bashes SF instead 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

At the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, US President Donald Trump was asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertion that Western-style liberalism was becoming "obsolete."

By "Western-style liberalism," Putin was referring to the political ideology common in Western countries that emphasizes democracy, market economies, and individual liberty.

When asked about Putin's comments by a reporter, Trump appeared to think Putin was referring to liberals on the West Coast of the United States.

"If you look at what's happening in Los Angeles...San Francisco...[cities] run by a group of liberal people," Trump said.

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The president also added that LA and SF were "sad to look at" because of their liberal leadership.

Earlier this week, Putin said liberalism has "outlived its purpose" and conflicts with "the interests of the overwhelming majority of the population."

Trump also took questions on the exchange between Kamala Harris and Joe Biden during the first Democratic debate.

"She's been given too much credit for what she did. It wasn't that outstanding," Trump said of Harris confronting Biden. "He was hit harder than he should have been hit."

When asked specifically about Biden's past stances on busing, Trump appeared to think the controversy was around the mode of transportation itself, and not school desegregation.

"It has been something that they've done for a long period of time," Trump said. "There aren't that many ways of getting people to schools."

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In addition, Trump took a swipe at former President Jimmy Carter, who said earlier this week Trump's 2016 election win was "illegitimate" because of Russian interference.

"Russia, Russia, Russia," Trump said. "He's a Democrat and that's a typical talking point."

Trump also called Carter's handling of the Iran hostage situation in 1979 "a disaster."

"They tied him up in knots," the president said. "That's probably why Ronald Reagan became president."

Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting

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