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Trump mistakenly names Japan in gaffe over missile attack on US ship

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • U.S. President Donald Trump mistakenly identified Japan as the country that fired missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier, confusing it with Iran.
  • Trump made the gaffe during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara, Turkey.
  • The remark appears to be a slip of the tongue, confusing a long-time ally with a nation often at odds with the U.S.

President Donald Trump made a notable gaffe during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8. While discussing missile attacks on a U.S. aircraft carrier, Trump referred to the "Islamic Republic of Japan" as the perpetrator, apparently confusing the long-time ally with Iran.

"We had 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan," Trump stated during the event, which took place on the sidelines of a NATO summit. He further elaborated that the missiles were aimed at the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and were intercepted within an hour.

The remark drew attention as it conflated Japan, a key U.S. partner, with Iran, a country with which the U.S. has had significant diplomatic tensions. The incident, captured by KYODO NEWS, highlights a moment of confusion during an international summit.

We had 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan.

— Donald TrumpDuring a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, when discussing missile attacks on a U.S. aircraft carrier.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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