'If youre in the United States, sometimes you can feel lazy and think were so big we dont have to really know anything about other people.' During a townhall meeting in Laos, President Barack Obama called Americans lazy multiple times.
For one, Obama said Americans reluctance to embrace his favored environmental policies is a sign of laziness.
Usually when you see the environment destroyed, its not because its necessary for development, Obama said. Its usually because were being lazy and were not being as creative as we could be about how to do it in a smarter, more sustainable way.
He also accused Americans of being isolated and ignorant because the United States is such a big country.
The United States is and can be a great force for good in the world. But because were such a big country, we havent always had to know about other parts of the world, he said. If youre in the United States, sometimes you can feel lazy and think were so big we dont have to really know anything about other people.
This isnt the first time Obama has insulted Americans abroad. During his visit to Malaysia last November, he said Republicans were helping ISIS.