President Donald Trump gave a shocking response when asked during his Oval Office meeting with the Japanese prime minister on Thursday why he didn’t reveal to allies his Iran war plans.
‘You don’t want to signal too much … we wanted surprise,’ Trump answered.
‘Who knows better about surprise than Japan?’ he said. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor!’
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pursed her lips and crossed her hands as Trump made the comments.
The United States entered World War II after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, a US naval base in Hawaii, in December 1941.
Earlier in the meeting, Takaichi had fawned over Trump with praise.
They’re political allies and fellow conservatives.
Trump had endorsed Takaichi’s 2025 run for prime minister, proudly pointing out that she’s the protégé of his late friend, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
President Donald Trump (right) made a quip about Pearl Harbor on Thursday during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takeuchi Sanae (left)
The USS Arizona sinks during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Japan’s surprise attack against an American naval base brought the US into World War II
Speaking through a translator, she pointed to the situation in the Middle East and said the world was experiencing a ‘very severe security environment.’
‘But even against the backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world,’ she said.
Trump suggested that the Japanese were more amenable to helping him, as the President has called on allies to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iranian war.
‘We’ve had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything, and I believe that based on statements that were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, having to do with Japan, they are really stepping up to the plate.’
‘Unlike NATO,’ the President added.
Trump has been raging at NATO allies for not immediately volunteering to assist the Strait of Hormuz effort.
Senator Lindsey Graham, an Iran war hawk and one of Trump’s top Congressional allies, said on X earlier this week that he had never seen Trump madder than over the snub.
‘I have never heard him so angry in my life,’ Graham revealed.
President Donald Trump (right) holds court in the Oval Office alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) on Thursday
Trump continued to complain about NATO during his meeting with the Japanese prime minister.
‘In the case of NATO, they don’t want to help us defend the Strait, and they’re the ones that need it,’ Trump said. ‘But now they’re getting much nicer, because they’re seeing my attitude.’
‘But it’s, as far as I’m concerned, it’s too late,’ the President added.
At the same time, Trump has suggested the US military doesn’t need much assistance.
‘We don’t need much. We don’t need anything, honestly, from Japan or anyone else. But I think it’s appropriate that people step up,’ Trump said.
