By now, you know that most of our nation’s embassies have been without ambassadors since Donald Trump took office. He ordered all politically-appointed ambassadors to stand down the minute he was sworn in. Well, this weekend gave an indication of what Trump is looking for in their replacements–and it isn’t good. It looks like the man who is on track to be American ambassador to Austria got the post because–wait for it–he absolutely loves “The Sound of Music.”
Patrick Park, a concert pianist and industrialist from Jupiter, told the Palm Beach Daily News that Trump–whom he has known for “almost 20 years”–gave him a handwritten note saying, “On to your next chapter, Ambassador!” Trump felt that Austria would be a very good fit for Park because of how much music influences the culture.
According to Daily News society editor Shannon Donnelly, Trump tapped Park a week before the inauguration.
https://twitter.com/pbdnsociety/status/821161043363762178
Lest you think that the hills are alive with the sound of favors being returned, Park didn’t open his wallet for his longtime friend. According to records from the Federal Election Commission, Park hasn’t made any political donations since 2001, when he gave to the campaign of now-disgraced former congressman Mark Foley.
Park, for his part, is chomping at the bit to take the job, in part because he is a near-rabid fan of “The Sound of Music.” He claims to have seen the 1965 hit some 75 times, and knows “every single word and song by heart.” In other words, that film is literally one of his favorite things.
So far, the Internet is not pleased at the prospect of a guy whose sole qualification for being an ambassador is that he can sing “Edelweiss” from memory.
Trump's choice for Ambassador to Austria gets the gig because he's a massive Sound of Music fan? https://t.co/ZEWwWGMrLy
— Chris Bartlett (@bartman6) February 12, 2017
How to become ambassador to Austria? Go to Mar-a-Lago balls — and watch “Sound of Music” 75 times. https://t.co/OCBC3X0fLq (h/t @anniekarni)
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) February 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/finchly/status/830845063869693953
This feels like a sequel to "Call Me Madam." Pianist and "Sound of Music" fan Patrick Park as Ambassador to Austria? https://t.co/KRI7iUWECn
— Alexandra Jacobs (@AlexandraJacobs) February 12, 2017
The hills are alive with the sound of bullshit https://t.co/QSWPvTndeM
— erin “scream mask” ryan (@morninggloria) February 12, 2017
Park is already preparing himself to take up the post upon confirmation by the Senate. He met the Swiss and Hungarian ambassadors at a Red Cross Ball, and Vienna’s ambassador to Washington already wants to have lunch with him.
If Park actually did any research on Austria, he’ll see that only a few Austrians have actually seen the film and the Rogers and Hammerstein musical on which it was based. The few that have seen it roll their eyes when they hear Maria sing that one of her favorite things is “schnitzel with noodles.” Any Austrian knows that schnitzel is usually served with potatoes. Additionally, the film’s director, Robert Wise, thought “Edelweiss” was Austria’s national anthem.
Politico reported last week that Trump realizes he’s out of his depth with the realities of being president. This latest move won’t do anything to counter the perception that he’s out of his league.
(featured image courtesy Rex Features via The Daily Telegraph)
