SALT LAKE CITY — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was “the chosen one” while speaking on the trade war between the U.S. and China.
Trump said his predecessors had ignored China’s trade tactics and that the trade war wasn’t his alone.
“This isn’t my trade war, this is a trade war that should have taken place a long time ago,” he said.
“Somebody had to do it,” the president said. Looking up to the sky, he said, “I am the chosen one.”
“Somebody had to do it, so I’m taking on China. I’m taking on China on trade, and you know what? We’re winning. I was put here by people. I was put here by people to do a great job. And that’s what I’m doing.”
Here's the clip. Speaking about his trade war with China, Trump looks to the heavens and says, "I am the Chosen One." pic.twitter.com/mKWA9g7wzQ
— David Mack (@davidmackau) August 21, 2019
Trump will reportedly add new tariffs on Chinese imports beginning in September, according to CNBC. The new tariffs come after he’s dropped a 25% tariff on Chinese goods. He has said that an additional 10% will be applied to all remaining imports by the middle of December, too.
In response, China has taxed U.S. imports by $110 billion.
Trump’s declaration of being the “chosen one” brings immediate memories of a number of pop culture references. We found seven popular characters from pop culture history who were also called the “chosen one.”
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is referred to as “the Chosen One” starting in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” However, fans will remember that in “The Order of the Pheonix,” Sybill Trelawney prophesied to Albus Dumbledore that there would be a chosen one born in July who would defeat all evil — a clear reference to Harry Potter.
Neo from “The Matrix”
In the “Matrix” trilogy (soon to be a quartet with “Matrix 4”), Neo (Keanu Reeves) is referred to as “The One,” a human character with extraordinary abilities living inside the Matrix simulation.
Anakin Skywalker from “Star Wars”
“You were the Chosen One!” yells Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.” Indeed, Anakin Skywalker is believed to be the Chosen One as outlined in an ancient prophecy. When Skywalker falls to the dark side, his status as the Chosen One is questioned. But in “Return of the Jedi,” Skywalker fulfills his Chosen One purpose and brings balance to the Force.
Ash Ketchum of “Pokemon”
In one of the Pokemon films, main character Ash Ketchum is revealed to be “The Chosen One,” or a character who could bring balance back to a broken world, according to Bulbapedia, a wiki for Pokemon fans.
Homer Simpson from “The Simpsons”
In a 1995 episode of “The Simpsons,” Homer decides to join a secret society called the Stonecutter. He eventually becomes their leader. Soon, he discovers a birthmark in the shape of the Stonecutter emblem, which identifies him as the Chosen One who would lead the group to success, according to Simpsons Wiki.
Buffy Summers from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
Buffy is revealed as the Chosen One in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in the opening narration of the series, which reads, “Into every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer.”
Gohan from “Dragon Ball Z”
Yes, Gohan, the son of Goku and wife Chi-Chi, is believed to be the Chosen One of the “Dragon Ball Z” series. He is selected the “Chosen One” to release the Z Sword.