At first glance, it looked like just another bold move from Donald Trump—but as the public pored over the letter he posted online addressed to the Japanese Prime Minister, confusion quickly set in.
Why did a message meant to represent formal diplomacy read more like a hastily typed social media rant? From strange capitalizations to clumsy phrasing and a tone that was anything but tactful, many began to question:
was this truly a presidential communiqué or a theatrical stunt disguised as diplomacy? What’s really unfolding behind the curtain—and what was Trump hoping to achieve with this unusual letter?
It’s no secret that former U.S. President Donald Trump has a penchant for airing private correspondences and official documents on his social media channels.
Previously, he made public sensitive exchanges with NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Now, the 79-year-old Republican has unveiled a letter he sent to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, drawing sharp criticism for its tone and glaring errors.
For the record, any 8th grade English teacher would give Trump an F on his grammar assignment.
— BonkDaCarnivore (@BonkDaCarnivore) July 7, 2025
We’re literally led by an idiot who has a lower grasp on our language than grade schoolers. pic.twitter.com/d8aQAxpJpu
The two-page letter, shared on Truth Social on Monday, July 7, addressed the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Japan. Reports indicate similar letters were sent to 13 other nations, including South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Serbia, and Cambodia.
In the letter, Trump reiterated his threat to slap a 25% tariff on Japanese imports starting August 1. Although the tariff increase was initially scheduled for July 9, the White House has since postponed it, citing ongoing efforts to negotiate trade deals.
Yet, it wasn’t the policy itself that stirred controversy—it was the letter’s language.
Critics quickly seized on a cascade of grammatical mistakes and baffling capitalization choices, a hallmark of Trump’s unfiltered online style.
One commenter on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “Trump’s letter to Japan is a total circus. Full of threats, poor grammar, and zero diplomacy. He’s dismantling decades of trust over a trade deficit he doesn’t even understand.”
Another quipped: “Any middle school English teacher would flunk him for this.”
A third user remarked: “We’re being led by someone whose grasp of language is worse than a 7th grader’s.”
One sarcastic observer said: “Decades of alliance-building, and this letter sounds like a kid just learned the word ‘tariff.’”
Others called it “appalling” and “completely unprofessional.”
One particularly biting post read: “What’s with the random capital letters? Looks like a ransom note written by someone barely literate.”
Another added: “The U.S. President’s formal letter reads like one of his tweets. No wonder the world laughs.”
One final comment summed up the mood: “If a stranger sent me a letter like this, I’d question their mental stability.”
In conclusion:
Trump’s choice to publicize his letter to the Japanese Prime Minister has reignited debate—not just over its content, but over the glaring grammatical slip-ups and casual tone that many say undermine diplomatic norms. What was meant to be a serious statement on trade issues instead went viral as an example of how poor presentation can eclipse substance.
With critics likening the letter to a failed school essay or an impulsive social media rant, this episode adds fuel to the ongoing discussion about Trump’s communication style and its repercussions for America’s reputation on the world stage.