United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley Wednesday denied that the world's leaders were ridiculing President Donald Trump when they laughed after he touted the United States' economy under his administration, saying instead they and diplomats "love how honest he is."
"The media has got this so wrong," Haley told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program. "I deal with these leaders every single day. I know exactly how they think. Do they love America? No. Do they respect America? Now they do."
On Tuesday, Trump's opening line before the UN General Assembly, when he talked about how successful his administration has been, drew laughs. He laughed back, saying he did not expect that reaction.
"They love how honest he is," Haley said. "It's not diplomatic and they find it funny."
Further, Haley said diplomats were "falling over themselves to get a picture with him, to talk about how great his speech was. How strong it was. Whether he said good things about them or not, they love that he is honest with them."
One must understand how Trump talks, she added.
"He is always talking to his audience," said Haley. "When he was talking about Kim (Jong Un), he was talking to Kim...when he is talking about OPEC and the issues that need to happen, he is talking to the Saudis, saying release more oil, we have got to get these gas prices down.
"He is very good at knowing his audience and he is talking straight to the person or country he is trying to get a message to."