Donald Trump is known for frequently criticizing his political opponents, but during a recent roundtable discussion, his remarks ended up backfiring.

While trying to defend his administration’s tax policies—just after millions of Americans had filed their returns—Trump unintentionally contradicted himself. In an attempt to criticize the previous administration, he said, “A year ago, our country was a laughing stock.” However, since he himself was president at that time, the comment quickly drew attention and criticism.

He continued, saying that people around the world had been laughing at the United States, before adding, “They’re not laughing anymore.” The statement sparked ironic reactions online, with many pointing out the contradiction and mocking the remark.

Political figures also responded. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark commented that the country had been an embarrassment then and still was.

The awkward moments didn’t stop there. While reading from a prepared speech, Trump stumbled over the phrase “corner store,” questioning what it meant and who had written it, even though it is a common term.

He also made comments suggesting that wealthy individuals are more likely to use tax deductions, while middle- and lower-income people do not think about them in the same way. Analysts, however, note that tax policies often benefit higher-income households more significantly, which explains why they claim more deductions.

Overall, the event drew attention not only for policy discussion but also for several unusual and contradictory remarks that quickly became a topic of public debate.