'When People Have 112 Nuclear Missiles...': Trump's Bizarre Explanation On Why He Is Nice To Xi, Kim Jong Un

News world 'When People Have 112 Nuclear Missiles...': Trump's Bizarre Explanation On Why He Is Nice To Xi, Kim Jong Un

'When People Have 112 Nuclear Missiles...': Trump's Bizarre Explanation On Why He Is Nice To Xi, Kim Jong Un

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Last Updated: October 04, 2026, 19:49 IST

Trump was quick to single out Iran, saying Tehran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping tour the National Archives in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump this week gave a “bizarre" explanation for why he is nice to Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and “gets along great" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“Somebody said, ‘Why is he being nice to Xi?’ Isn’t it nice to get along with the leaders of massive nuclear nations?" Trump told attendees at a rally in Ohio.

“I get along great with Kim Jong Un of North Korea. When people have 112 nuclear missiles, it’s nice to get along," he told Republicans gathered at Butler High School in Vandalia, where he was campaigning for GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Trump’s remarks come days after his latest summit with Xi, where the US President struck a notably warm tone towards his Chinese counterpart, saying the two had “never gotten along better". Trump has also stepped up his expressions of admiration for Kim in recent weeks, calling the North Korean leader “a friend of mine" and saying Kim “likes Trump".

However, Trump was quick to single out Iran, saying Tehran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

“But here’s the difference: Iran will never have a nuclear missile," he told attendees in Vandalia.

Trump’s comments underscore the distinction he has repeatedly drawn between North Korea, which already possesses a nuclear arsenal, and Iran, whose nuclear ambitions the US President has vowed to prevent.

The latest remarks also come as Trump seeks to revive his personal diplomacy with Kim, with the US President having held three face-to-face meetings with the North Korean leader during his first term. His warm rhetoric towards Kim has intensified even as Washington continues to regard North Korea’s nuclear arsenal as a major security challenge.

Preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon has been a central objective of Trump’s policy towards Tehran and was one of the stated aims of the US-Israeli war against Iran that began on February 28. Trump has repeatedly argued that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, warning that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat to the US, Israel and the wider West Asia. Washington and Israel have cited Iran’s nuclear programme as a key justification for military action, although Tehran has consistently denied seeking a nuclear weapon.

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Quick Answers Powered by Ask News18 What reason did Donald Trump give for getting along with leaders like Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un? Donald Trump explained that it is nice to get along with the leaders of massive nuclear nations, specifically pointing out during a rally that North Korea possesses 112 nuclear missiles. How does Donald Trump distinguish between North Korea and Iran regarding nuclear weapons? Trump draws a sharp distinction by noting that North Korea already possesses a nuclear arsenal, whereas Tehran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. What is the status of North Korea's nuclear weapons program according to its leadership? North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui reaffirmed that Pyongyang's nuclear status is permanent, irreversible, and will remain unchanged through all ages. Powered by Ask News18

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More

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First Published: October 04, 2026, 19:49 IST

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