Trump tells kids the US ‘wouldn’t be here’ if Iran had nuclear weapons: ‘They're sick people’

Donald Trump warned children that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, saying the world and the US would be at risk
Donald Trump described Iranian protesters being shot by armed forces while answering questions about possible US-backed unrest in Iran (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Donald Trump described Iranian protesters being shot by armed forces while answering questions about possible US-backed unrest in Iran (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)


WASHINGTON, DC: What began as an event to champion youth fitness took an unexpected turn as President Donald Trump shifted into a charged rant on the escalating Iran conflict, cautioning young children that the US “wouldn’t be all here” if Iran had nuclear weapons.

The Commander-in-Chief, on Tuesday, May 5, was joined by children who said they played sports such as football, volleyball, hockey, and golf as he approved the revival of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award during an event at the White House.



The revived award also mandated that more than 150 schools on US military bases reinstate student fitness assessments, including activities like a one-mile run and sit-ups.

However, the event veered off topic when Trump began talking about the ongoing military conflict with Iran.

Trump says Iran ‘has no chance’ to defeat US

After thanking Cabinet members present at the meeting, Trump turned his attention to the Middle Eastern country, saying, “I call it a skirmish because Iran has no chance. They never did. They know it.”

“They have no Navy, totally wiped out. They have no air force, totally wiped out. They have no anti-aircraft capability, totally wiped out, no radar. They have no leaders. The leaders are wiped out, the whole thing,” he continued.

The president then went on to take several questions from the media, but soon returned to his rant, this time even acknowledging it might not be an appropriate topic for an event focused on kids. 

President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“We can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. You might be too young for this,” Trump said, looking at the children, before continuing.

“They probably know. They probably know better than most people, but you can’t let a bunch of lunatics have a nuclear weapon, or the world would be in trouble. The world would be in trouble.”

Trump also suggested in front of the children that the US might not be around if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon.

“We would have had a run on Iran with a nuclear weapon, and maybe we wouldn’t all be here right now. I can tell you, the Middle East would have been gone. Israel would have been gone, and they would have trained their sights on Europe first and then us, because they’re sick people.”

President Donald Trump walks back toward the Oval Office after a fitness event on the south lawn of the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump walks back toward the Oval Office after a fitness event on the south lawn of the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“These are sick people, and we’re not going to let lunatics have a nuclear weapon. The power of a nuclear weapon is something I don’t even want to talk about. It’s not going to happen. And we have beaten them badly,” he continued.

Trump describes Iranian protester killings to children

During the Q&A session, the president was asked by the media whether he believed Iranian protesters could topple their government if armed by the US.

In reply, he went on to describe the brutal killing of protesters, saying, “They don’t have any guns. You can have 200,000 people protesting and have five or six sick people with guns, and when they start shooting them right between the eyes, and you see a guy fall, and another one fall, and you have no guns.”

President Donald Trump speaks with children before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump speaks with children before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“They killed 42,000 people last month. 42,000 unarmed protesters,” he remarked before talking about the protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran’s religious police in 2022 and 2023.

“Everyone thought that was the end of Iran.”

“And then, suddenly, a woman dropped dead with a bullet right there. Always right there,” the president said, pointing to the space between his eyes.

RELATED TOPICS US STRIKES IRAN

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The US Postal Service launched a federal ballot mail portal requiring states to upload voter lists to receive mail-in ballots
6 minutes ago
President Trump made the remarks while visiting the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas
28 minutes ago
Vice President JD Vance called Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed a 'nut job' as he criticized Democrats with Michigan delegates present
1 hour ago
Trump discussed his $5,000 dividend plan on an interview after pledging the payments at the GOP midterm convention
1 hour ago
Trump donor Joe Lonsdale backed an election win but opposed the 'bribe' Trump announced at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas
2 hours ago
Trump announced the move in a video posted on White House social media promoting his 'Great Healthcare Plan'
3 hours ago
The decision dealt a blow to GOP efforts to use congressional maps nationwide to retain control of the House next year
3 hours ago
Michigan Democratic Party Vice Chair Portia Roberson faced conservative ridicule after making mistakes during a land acknowledgment
4 hours ago
President Trump touted the Republican convention's reach in a Truth Social post after it faced off with the NFL
5 hours ago
President Donald Trump revived his criticism of Joe Biden's public appearances and autopen use while contrasting his record with Biden's presidency
13 hours ago