Trump Makes Controversial Joke in Awkward Exchange with Japanese PM
In an Oval Office press briefing on Thursday, Trump faced questions about why Washington’s partners were kept in the dark ahead of last month’s coordinated attacks, which shook global energy markets and heightened tensions in the Middle East.
“We didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise,” Trump said, before turning to Takaichi and adding, “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”
Takaichi remained composed and did not respond, though her reaction suggested she was taken aback. Trump’s comment referred to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which resulted in over 2,400 American deaths and prompted the US to enter World War II. While Japan initially gained early victories in the Pacific, the conflict concluded with nuclear strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan’s unconditional surrender, and an American occupation that lasted until 1952.
Trump later complimented Takaichi as “a spectacular woman” and mentioned that they discussed Japan’s support for US actions in Iran, stating, “They are really stepping up to the plate,” without elaborating further.
Reports indicate that longstanding US allies were only notified of the strikes hours before the operations began, creating particular frustration among Gulf nations that faced Iranian retaliatory attacks.
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