Donald Trump teased us this week by revealing he had given Theresa May a mystery suggestion to help smooth the Brexit process.
His grand plan that he said might have been too "brutal" for May to accept? Sue the EU. Why didn't we think of that? Oh yeah, because it makes zero sense.
Even May laughed as she revealed the US president's big idea on the Andrew Marr show, saying:
He told me I should sue the EU – sue the EU – not go into negotiations, sue them.
Actually no. We’re going into negotiations with them.
Many assumed that Trump has advised May to walk away from negotiations - a hard-line view, but one that pales in comparison to actually taking legal action against the EU.
This follows Trump appearing to criticise May's approach to Brexit in a shock interview with the Sun, which he apologised for in a joint press conference.
At first, there was just disbelief.
Trump told Theresa May to ‘sue the EU’. Where on earth is this chaotic, cluelessness going? #Marr— Pete Wishart (@Pete Wishart) 1531645148
Blimey. May reveals what Trump's advice actually was. "Sue the EU". And says it in a way that demonstrates she thou… https://t.co/8zKSCA4hRS— (((Dan Hodges))) (@(((Dan Hodges)))) 1531645115
PM says Trump told her to SUE THE EU! That was his secret piece of advice. Not walk away, but sue them. Wow. #Marr— Paul Brand (@Paul Brand) 1531644986
But soon enough there was a lot of face-palming going on too.
@BBCBreaking https://t.co/LNM28vUYs5— Simon Tilbury (@Simon Tilbury) 1531645510
@BBCBreaking https://t.co/7mGfpcNqN2— jeanann Bogar 💉💉 💉 & Flu 💉 still 😷 (@jeanann Bogar 💉💉 💉 & Flu 💉 still 😷) 1531647005
And, in some cases, head-desking.
...... *headdesk* https://t.co/Zj4LYeHVcn— jc_ie (@jc_ie) 1531645468
People had questions. Why? How? Where?
May reveals Trump’s big idea was for her to sue the EU. For what? #Marr— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@Krishnan Guru-Murthy) 1531645173
Trump apparently told Theresa May that the UK should “sue” the EU, rather than negotiate. Difficult to know what to… https://t.co/glYwB7qLZq— Adam Wagner (@Adam Wagner) 1531647567
SUE THE EU! SUE THE EU! - Is there anything more Donald Trump than that! What does it even mean?!— Joe Watts (@Joe Watts) 1531645054
Others just wanted out.
But pretty much no one was that surprised.
Of course he would https://t.co/e2U9gGbH5p— Elaine Leyton (@Elaine Leyton) 1531646296
People pointed out that Trump may not be the best man to give advice.
The PM says President Trump advised her to sue the EU. I’m not sure I’d take legal advice from a man whose relation… https://t.co/e7PMO6KR3U— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) 1531645623
As if... the UK could just sue the EU like it is an exotic dancer who has defamed it. Oh no wait— Adam Wagner (@Adam Wagner) 1531647699
Then the jokes started.
Have you been injured attempting to leave the Customs Union? https://t.co/7hJKROnKrH— Matt Owen (@Matt Owen) 1531646178
Maybe Trump just heard something the rest of us didn't.
@BBCBreaking The EU: https://t.co/fOigCEuHKz— My Name Is James (@My Name Is James) 1531645518