Senior aides to President Trump advised him not to make any personal remarks regarding North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un this week at the United Nations General Assembly, out of concern that the attacks would escalate an already tense situation with Pyongyang and prevent any negotiation from occurring.

Speaking to world leaders in New York on Tuesday, Trump taunted Kim, calling him “Rocket Man,” and said he was on a “suicide mission.” Trump also warned that the U.S. would have “no choice but to totally destroy North Korea” if the rogue regime threatened the U.S. or its allies.