President Donald Trump on Thursday said the world will see “one big glow” coming from Iran, suggesting a far worse fate for the Islamic regime than conventional bombing if no ceasefire deal is made soon.
When asked by a reporter if the ceasefire remains in place, Trump responded that it was but noted that “they trifled with us today” and “we blew them away.”
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The comment referenced an unprovoked attack by Iran on three U.S. Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In a Truth Social post hours earlier, Trump said the three destroyers sustained little to no damage before they dealt “great damage” to the Iranians.
“I’ll let you know when there’s no cease—” he started to say before slightly backtracking. “You won’t have to know. If there’s no ceasefire, you’re not going to have to know. You’re just going to have to look at one big glow coming out of Iran, and they better sign their agreement fast.”
The president did not specify what he meant exactly by “one big glow,” but the remark alludes to using a nuclear weapon or bombing Iran’s oil infrastructure. He has ruled out deploying a nuclear weapon in the past.
“If [a ceasefire deal] doesn’t get signed, they’re going to have a lot of pain,” Trump said, adding his Iranian counterparts want to sign the deal “a lot more” than he does.
The temporary U.S.-Iran ceasefire has been extended indefinitely to allow enough room for peace talks, but military skirmishes are taking place, as evidenced on Thursday.
The war has led to a record surge in gas prices, which Trump claimed are decreasing despite reports to the contrary.
Trump answered questions from reporters on various topics while he and administration officials toured the National Mall to see how a rapid $2 million renovation on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was progressing. The entire area was cordoned off by authorities during the president’s visit.
Speaking with the men working on the Reflecting Pool, Trump asked them if they think Iran should have a nuclear weapon. They resoundingly answered “no,” prompting Trump to go on a tirade about preventing Iran from developing nuclear capabilities.
“I said to my people we’re going to have to … go to the lovely country of Iran and blow them up a little bit,” he said, drawing laughter from the workers. “These guys work so hard to make things beautiful. We’re not going to let a nuclear weapon ruin it.”
Pressed on why he is focusing so much on construction and renovation projects in Washington, D.C., while gas prices are rising due to the war, Trump said he wants to “keep our country beautiful and safe” before taking personal offense to the question.
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“Such a stupid question that you asked,” he told ABC News reporter Rachel Scott as he insulted her. “She’s a horror show. She’s saying, ‘Why would you bother fixing this up?’ … That’s what made our country great. Beauty made our country, people made our country great. A question like that is a disgrace to our country.”
Many beautification projects are taking place on the National Mall ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday. Additionally, construction on the proposed White House ballroom is underway at the site of the demolished East Wing. There is also a plan to build a “Triumphal Arch” in the nation’s capital, but construction on that project has not started yet.
