President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that world leaders routinely told him how much they love him ― and that they even address him as “sir” when they say it.

But his critics weren’t buying it.

Trump just wrapped up a tense NATO summit in Turkey, where he threatened Spain, floated a reduction in the number of American troops in Europe and once again demanded U.S. control over Greenland. This, after he has routinely and publicly attacked U.S. allies and, most recently, lobbed a series of bizarre personal insults at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Yet Trump claimed that behind the scenes, the other leaders just adored him.

“If you could’ve seen the respect and the love in the room,” he told reporters as the summit concluded. “And it’s love really for the country, for our country. I don’t want to say me because you’ll say, ‘Oh, he’s so conceited. He’s such a conceited person.’”

Then, Trump went and made it about himself anyway.

“But they do. They like the job I’m doing,” he said, adding that the other leaders said, “Sir, we love you.”

Trump did allow for ulterior motives behind the show of affection.

“These are grown people saying that. Isn’t that nice?” he said. “Maybe, I don’t know, maybe they’re trying to get to me.”

Trump has had a testy relationship with the leaders of nations that were traditionally U.S. allies, especially those in Europe, whom he has accused of “cheating” the United States.

“Look, let’s be honest, the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States,” Trump said last year.

In addition to attacking Meloni, Trump has frequently insulted other world leaders. Last year, he mocked French President Emmanuel Macron’s marriage. There have also been a few incidents where other leaders laughed at Trump behind his back – and even to his face.

Given that history, critics found his claims of “love” a little hard to swallow:

Why would other heads of state call him “sir”? https://t.co/5qvQP0uVAh

In his dreams. When he walked out they probably laughed out loud at him. https://t.co/uQ3BFj2bNG

Confabulation. https://t.co/3c0zkoS2sq

I bet they have tears in their eyes when they say it…and they always call him sir. 🤦🏼♀️ https://t.co/h0XNQloHwA

I’ll take “Things That Never Happened,” for $1,000, Alex. https://t.co/OV0SxsEnAQ

Sure they do, Gramps. Sure they do.How this lying son-of-a-mobster became president - twice - will baffle historians forever, until they review the school curricula and student performance of the times. If he doesn't get us all killed first. https://t.co/OiswAJwE35

Magic 8 ball says "very doubtful" https://t.co/Ln3K7mSTQC

That's what Trump heard when he was sleeping. https://t.co/XAuWINPdI9

The same people we saw in a video refusing to even look at him this morning? Those people? https://t.co/3Bi4al1J81

Another Big fat lie. They all despise him, as do I. https://t.co/xB5Q6L13JB

What a delusional narcissist. Everything, everything has to be about him. Even if people say it, they know all you crave is praise and a participation trophy 🏆. If they criticize you, they get banned or tariffed. https://t.co/k1E4krxaPy

Bullshit. https://t.co/JMAvljY1ED

Translation: They all fucking hate him. https://t.co/EaZwQ3GHOF

Sure Don.. https://t.co/eWNGSkhuhe pic.twitter.com/e5pbO9YTX2

It's amazing how easily he just spews lies.The sad thing is that demented Grandpa seriously believes that everyone loves him. Pathetic. https://t.co/W3IdKt0u6Y

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