Trump confuses wildlife refuge with Afghanistan airbase in latest mix-up, says ‘we have Bagram in Alaska’

FLINT, MICHIGAN: In what turned out to be a rather head-scratching moment for those who tuned in, former president Donald Trump had a bit of a mix-up during a recent town hall event in Flint, Michigan.

Trump was touting his success in getting oil drilling approved in Alaska, but he appeared to confuse the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) with Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Yes, Bagram—the airbase once occupied by US forces in the Middle East—somehow made its way to Alaska in Trump's monologue.

Donald Trump's major mix-up during Michigan event

Donald Trump confidently told the Michigan crowd, "We were energy independent, we were soon going to be energy dominant, and we would’ve been now having so much money coming out of the energy."

He went on to add, "We just have the best. We have Bagram in Alaska. They say it might be as big, might be bigger, than all of Saudi Arabia. I got it approved. Ronald Reagan couldn’t do it, nobody could do it. I got it done. In their first week they [the Biden administration] terminated it."

Instead of referring to ANWR, a massive, protected area in Alaska rich in oil reserves, Trump mistakenly used the word “Bagram", the US airbase in Afghanistan that has nothing to do with oil or Alaska, let alone Trump’s energy policies.

Instead of clarifying the mistake, Trump doubled down. “Check that one out. Bagram. Check that one that. ANW– it’s, it’s– no, think about this. Between Bagram, between– you go to ANWR…” he carried on, Mediaite reported.

Social media has a field day with Donald Trump

Not surprising, social media didn’t let the slip-up go unnoticed. But it wasn’t just Donald Trump who faced criticism. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders—who was seated beside Trump—also took heat as she appeared to nod in agreement during his confusing remarks.

"What does an airbase in Afghanistan have to do with Alaska? Do we really want 78-year-old Trump in the White House again?" one posted on X.

"What is he even talking about?" a second user asked.

"Why is she shaking her head in agreement," another wondered.

"Huckabee just nods like a damn fool. What's she doing in Michigan anyway? Doesn't she have a state to run into the ground?" someone else chimed in.

"I'm not sure what's worse, his own stupidity or the fact that she's sitting there nodding her head in agreement," a comment read.

"And shortly after this, he claims he's genius," another quipped.

Donald Trump talks of assassination attempts and more

During his sitdown with Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Donald Trump also discussed threats on his life including an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, back in July.

"You know, only consequential presidents get shot," he remarked, adding, “You have to do what you have to do, right? You have to — we have to be brave, otherwise we're not going to have a country left.”

Trump then shared a recent interaction with Vice President Kamala Harris, who called in to check on him following a second attempt on his life at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15.

Suspected gunman Ryan Wesley Routh allegedly pointed a rifle through a fence near Trump while he was golfing, before he was apprehended.

"A little while ago, I got a very nice call from Kamala," Trump said.

"It was very nice, it was very nice, and we appreciate that, but we have to take back our country. We have to win. We're going to win, and we're going to Make America Great Again." 

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