resident Donald Trump has said he moved “a submarine or two” to the coast of Russia, but said the word “nuclear” can never be said.
“I call it the N word. There are two N words, and you can’t use either of them,” Trump said in an address to military leaders on Tuesday.
The comment, seemingly made by the president in jest, was met with silence from the military leaders called together at Quantico by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Why It Matters
Trump has referred to nuclear as “the N word” in other public addresses in recent months and years. In 2023, he made a similar comment, appearing to associate taboo around nuclear weapons with “the N word” when speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, in which he also referred to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
What To Know
Trump was speaking to military leaders in Virginia on Tuesday. They had gathered from all over the world to hear from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth—a summons which caused confusion among military personnel and commentators alike, with no official agenda made public ahead of time.
Hegseth told senior military leaders that Trump had their backs as he introduced the president, who was met with near silence from the hundreds of gathered personnel.
“I’ve never walked into a room so silent before,” Trump said, telling the audience they could applaud if they wanted to.
After commending leaders for their work, the president spoke of changes being made at the Pentagon, including the decision to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
Trump said he wanted to end wars around the world, adding that he believed he had settled the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East with a potential agreement announced at the White House on Monday.
As part of a message on making the United States military more powerful, Trump said he had upgraded the country’s nuclear weapons, which he said he hoped he would never have to use. He added that the U.S. was “20 years ahead” of Russia when it came to nuclear capabilities.
Trump referred to his disagreement with top Kremlin official Dmitry Medvedev, who had somewhat taunted the U.S. president over his changing views on the Russia-Ukraine war for several weeks, beginning in June.
“Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran?” Trump posted on Truth Social on June 23. “Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY. The ‘N word’ should not be treated so casually.”
Trump then ordered two nuclear submarines to be moved in August, in case Russia made any moves he disagreed with, as the pair continued their back-and-forth.
On Tuesday, the president said he could not let people “throw around that word,” repeating that he felt the U.S. had better nuclear technology than any other country.
The address came as it was reported that, across the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. had deployed military aircraft to monitor potential submarine activity from Russia near Norway, as tensions continue between Russia and NATO countries.
What People Are Saying
NATO said in a statement on September 23: “Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions. We will continue to respond in the manner, timing, and domain of our choosing. Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the United Nations General Assembly on September 27: “Any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU who…are telling their voters that war with Russia is inevitable.”
What Happens Next
Efforts to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war have stalled, but Trump is likely to continue working on a solution, having promised to end the conflict on his return to office.
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