You’d think someone who represents the United States could come up with better reasons why the country is so darned great.

But NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker apparently didn’t understand the assignment he was given during a Thursday interview on “Fox & Friends” meant to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

It happened after host Brian Kilmeade asked Whitaker his take on the viral reactions of World Cup tourists who are seeing the U.S. for the first time.

Whitaker used the opportunity to extol the virtues of the U.S., but rather than, say, praise America’s Constitution, its arts and culture, support of innovation or openness to immigrants, he chose to focus on (checks notes) the ability to make phone calls in your car while eating fast food.

Yes, you can read that again if you need to. We’ll wait.

“Yeah, people are enjoying the United States of America because it’s an awesome place and we have extraordinary things like Buc-ee’s, like Chick-fil-A,” Whitaker said. “You know, just some, very convenient to eat in your car as you’re having a phone call.”

He added: “It’s an amazing country, and I’m glad people are finally kind of discovering what real America is.”

UN Ambassador Matt Whitaker: "People are enjoying the United States of America because it's an awesome place. We have extraordinary things like Buc-ee's and Chick-fil-A, very convenient to eat in your car while you're having a phone call. It's an amazing country." pic.twitter.com/zRoTYp4zLR

Whitaker, who previously served as acting U.S. attorney general during the first Trump administration before being appointed NATO ambassador last year, was brutally mocked for his examples of American greatness on social media.

"Extraordinary things like Buc-ee's and Chick-Fil-A, very convenient to eat in your car while you're having a phone call." Look, I'm a fan of both of those things too but out of everything in this country and its rich history...THAT's what you went with? https://t.co/BRRQ74wWWf

I know we live in a heavily car-dependent country, but framing the ability to eat rest-stop food in your car as a defining national triumph is incredibly bleak. https://t.co/4oR4F3KrDi

The best thing about America is how easy it is to eat in your car while you're on the phone. I can't tell if I am being ironic. https://t.co/2MHzbUNAGS

(Trying to talk up America): uh you can go to a kfc and call your mom from the parking lot. https://t.co/SapllAh8i5

The Make America Great Again crowd has routine difficulty identifying the things that actually make America great. https://t.co/tqw2F9UJ9k

i would point to other things but i guess chick fil a is great too https://t.co/93vXIuLW1E

Why didn't the ambassador use this opportunity to highlight America's healthcare system, the cost of living, the generous paid time off/family leave policy or the safety of our public schools? https://t.co/ClEgKL4KW5

US Ambassador on what makes the USA "awesome ":"Chick-fil-A to eat in your car while you speak on the phone "......As a Canadian living in Montréal ( we have so many great places to eat -not the car- at affordable prices), I am speechless....What about you, Canada? Do you go… https://t.co/gFs41oK6bw

I love America but eating McNuggets in my truck isn't why... https://t.co/qRJvzRRzA6

That’s exactly what everyone thinks of when you think of America: Buc-ee’s, Chick-Fil-A and a convenient place to make a phone call. https://t.co/7ZgrsEWPZC

It's the U.S. Embarrass-ador https://t.co/zsnObtw41x

Reminder that all of the US World Cup host cities have Democratic mayors.The visitors are enjoying the blue cities Republicans continually lie about. https://t.co/qUI4lnZUOY

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