global politics Did Trump just threaten to indiscriminately kill "the people of Gaza"?

[Pete Griffin]

On what planet is it acceptable for the president of the United States to threaten to kill civilians? Why are people just letting this happen? The situation in Gaza/Israel is complex, and neither side - Hamas or Israel - holds the moral high ground. What cocktail of drugs is the Tangerine Turncoat on where he thinks this is an acceptable way for a world leader to behave?

Also, to the people of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!

The people of Gaza are powerless. The people of Gaza have been brutalised for decades by the IDF. The people of Gaza are not responsible for the hostages held by Hamas. They cannot leave the Gaza Strip, being under de facto blockade by Israel. 46,707 people - including 18,000 CHILDREN have been killed in Gaza since the October 7 attacks. And now Trump is threatening to bomb them some more? Not only is he a spineless coward, he's also a warmonger.

You voted for this guy? Sweet baby jesus....

 

[Shawn]

I find it interesting that when a country completely surrounded by other countries that want to cease their existence defends itself, people call that country evil.

If the people protecting against Israel were to ever visit Gaza, I feel like a lot of them would be on the internet getting their heads sawed off.

War is hell but sometimes you have to bring it when you're attacked ruthlessly by evil people.

 

[Harsh World]

Trump, on many occassions, has called for the fighting and for wars to stop.

On what planet is it acceptable for the president of the United States to threaten to kill civilians?

The stark reality of war is that civilians are always caught in the middle of a conflict. There is no way to end a conflict without a word that saddens me, which is collateral damage.

We can take a look back to WWII and what the Japanese did, for instance. They were going to fight to the bitter end, no matter what, before they were aware that we could destroy them in 1 second, which took out a lot of civilians in the process, but it was a necessary action as it ended the war that would have taken 1,000,000 American lives if we had to invade the Mainland.

The Japanese used Filipinos and other islanders and, at that time, Okinawans, as well as the citizens of Japan, to shield themselves and to use them as pawns in their pursuit of victory.

How is that any different than HAMAS using Palestinians? It's not. Now, we have to decide if the good of destroying HAMAS outweighs the bad of civilian loss, that those who are essentially trapped, which, with the remaining, could potentially build back a better nation, one not under the control of terrorists and dictatorial leadership.

The people of Gaza are powerless. The people of Gaza have been brutalised for decades by the IDF.

Arguably, they have also been brutalized by HAMAS to put them into a situation like that as well. Except, they were defenseless. Destroying HAMAS can bring hope back, at least to those that make it.

And now Trump is threatening to bomb them some more?

If I read that post correctly, Trump is not threatening to bomb them some more. He is allowing Iseral to do what they need to do in order to finish the job of...

I find it interesting that when a country completely surrounded by other countries that want to cease their existence defends itself, people call that country evil.

Starting to fight back against countries that seek its complete destruction.

This is no different than the US sending aid to Ukraine, which I'm going to have to assume you support. That aid is used in a war against Russia, and the more it's used, the more Ukrainian civilian lives are taken until Ukraine comes to their senses for a peace deal. If they cannot come to terms, the implications are further reaching than just that area. I would go further to say that England wouldn't be off the map in a circumstance like that, which would inevitably then involve Americans.

You voted for this guy? Sweet baby jesus....

Yes, because we wanted no more wars. We wanted no more American lives sent overseas to fight other countries' wars; in other words, that has no benefit to the American people. These two conflicts are between Israel and Palestine (HAMAS) and Ukraine and Russia, respectively. We do not want 1 American boot on the ground to fight these wars as they are meaningless to us.

Why should we fight for either side? We could surely fund who we believe is right if we come to a consensus as Americans and not let the government decide that, but we ought not get involved much further than that, as, again, it's not our war and does not benefit us in any way.

 

[Shawn]

This is no different than the US sending aid to Ukraine, which I'm going to have to assume you support. That aid is used in a war against Russia, and the more it's used, the more Ukrainian civilian lives are taken until Ukraine comes to their senses for a peace deal. If they cannot come to terms, the implications are further reaching than just that area. I would go further to say that England wouldn't be off the map in a circumstance like that, which would inevitably then involve Americans.

I'm mixed on Ukraine.

I think sending defensive weapons was a good idea. But sending money that can't be traced? I don't know about that.

Honestly, I'm hoping for peace even if that means overthrowing their current president.

But I don't trust Russia. I don't see Russia as an ally. Well, Putin, that is. I think he wants the Soviet Union to be back and to dominate the US enough to manipulate our government to do what he wants. China wants the same thing. I can't exactly blame any of them, though—everyone wants to rule the world! How are any of us any different?

But I can still be suspicious.

I'm more apolitical than anything else, but I lean left on some things, right on some things, and center on others. I don't claim a political label; that's for sheep or people who need to be told what to do by the man.

 

[Harsh World]

I think sending defensive weapons was a good idea. But sending money that can't be traced? I don't know about that.

I don't think either was a good idea.

Honestly, I'm hoping for peace even if that means overthrowing their current president.

The People of Ukraine could've done that if the "President" (Dictator) didn't stop Presidential elections, and perhaps with a new leader chosen by the People, could've ended the conflict much sooner with a resolution that helps both Ukraine and Russia, whatever those terms may have looked like.

But I don't trust Russia. I don't see Russia as an ally. Well, Putin, that is. I think he wants the Soviet Union to be back and to dominate the US enough to manipulate our government to do what he wants. China wants the same thing. I can't exactly blame any of them, though—everyone wants to rule the world! How are any of us any different?

Neither country is a real threat to us until they ally, which continuing along this war path, especially if Ukraine gets NATO membership, would do. And, that wouldn't only be war against the US, but the destruction of Europe as well. So, I don't know why they're supporting Ukraine's NATO membership while also funding the Russians because of their asinine green policies.

I'm more apolitical than anything else, but I lean left on some things, right on some things, and center on others. I don't claim a political label; that's for sheep or people who need to be told what to do by the man.

After betrayal from the right (old GOP), I don't trust either. However, I am a Constitutional conservative. There are still people on the left who aren't in party lockstep and who have conservative values that I can agree with.

That said, I have faith in Trump, as his approach is something fresh and seemingly doing the job. Or, at least working at breakneck speed to get things done. Has any other Administration gotten this much done, whether you agreed with it or not, in two terms, than Trump has pushed in 46 days? Most of what he has done still needs to go through Congress or SCOTUS, but doing it through Executive Orders is forcing that to happen now, and if it doesn't, it's going to open up a lot of replacements in the 2026 midterms if the American people still align with the platform he's put in motion.

 

[Jason]

The video Trump made about Gaza is an abomination. I mean, did you see the golden head of Trump and the whole light-hearted atmosphere of it? I have a bad feeling this is going to lead to terror attacks.

 

[Harsh World]

The video Trump made about Gaza is an abomination. I mean, did you see the golden head of Trump and the whole light-hearted atmosphere of it? I have a bad feeling this is going to lead to terror attacks.

No, I haven't. You're free to post it here though. It'd be better to see the video in its context than to rely on hearsay.

Let me know if you need help embedded videos so you can share them in the future!

 

[Alamson]

What I love about Donald Trump is focusing on building America for Americans. I think a lot of mistakes had been made in the past by the US; the policy of trying to increase your influence abroad by overthrowing other governments and sponsoring rebel groups has to stop. Many countries have been messed.
It was the same thing with Israel; they had a soft spot for Hamas because they don't want a united Palestine State. This thing has backfired. Israel destroyed Gaza but could not rescue hostages without a ceasefire.
Countries should respect international laws and one another. I do not see the difference between Israelis and Palestinians, neither have I been able to differentiate Ukrainians from Russians.

But one thing I would like President Trump to do is to be more diplomatic I don't think he has a bad heart though.

 

[Shawn]

The video Trump made about Gaza is an abomination. I mean, did you see the golden head of Trump and the whole light-hearted atmosphere of it? I have a bad feeling this is going to lead to terror attacks.

Of course it will.

And they're already here. Terrorists. I doubt ICE has got them all out. I'm waiting to wake up to a full-scale attack. Most Americans are too invested in their phones to even notice and sadly, that will be what leads to their doom.

Today is a good time to be paranoid.

 

[Harsh World]

And they're already here. Terrorists. I doubt ICE has got them all out. I'm waiting to wake up to a full-scale attack. Most Americans are too invested in their phones to even notice and sadly, that will be what leads to their doom.

Let in by someone found too incompetent to stand trial, but could still serve out the rest of his term without anyone invoking the 25th Amendment.

Now, we have millions of new illegal immigrants in America without an idea of who they may be related to.

As much as I'd like to believe they're all just "women and children" seeking a better life, video from the border shows thousands of military-aged men waltzing right in. And a large-scale attack doesn't need 1000s, but maybe even 10s or even 100, to scare everyone to death.

 

[Shawn]

As much as I'd like to believe they're all just "women and children" seeking a better life, video from the border shows thousands of military-aged men waltzing right in. And a large-scale attack doesn't need 1000s, but maybe even 10s or even 100, to scare everyone to death.

Planes wrecking into things was scary but multiple small attacks all over the country in random places by Jihadists who will do whatever harm they can until death would be beyond terrifying. That's what I worry about. I welcome anyone to dislike me for wanting a secure border, too. At least I'm being sane about it.

 

[Harsh World]

multiple small attacks all over the country in random places

This would instill so much more fear than 9/11 because you don't know which community they're in since they were flown all over the country. It'd be ghost towns everywhere once a couple of tragic events, "only" taking the lives of a few, kicked off.

 

[Reelz]

I'm appalled by Trump's statement, and I completely agree with you on this issue. It is not right for leaders to threaten civilians like that. The situation in Gaza is indeed very complex, but that's not enough reason or justification for issuing threats.

It's even more irritating that a President of that calibre could display such aggression in public. I can see why a lot of people in the US are protesting against him. They want leaders who pursue diplomacy, understanding, and the path of peace, not those who foster hatred.

 

[Harsh World]

It's even more irritating that a President of that calibre could display such aggression in public.

What was even more irritating was watching Zelensky show disrespect in the White House, particularly in the Oval Office. It's a revered space with a history dating back over 115 years, and also a place within the same halls once walked by John Adams, the second U.S. President.

Compare how he interacts with Trump in the Oval Office:

Versus (a scripted meeting with) Biden:

For starters, wear a suit. However, the attire wasn't my biggest issue.

It was disrespecting the sitting U.S. President by using poor body language and overtalking or talking out of turn. Not the right setting for that, but also not something that should be done if outside of that room, either. That's especially true if you want any help from the U.S..

And you want to talk about aggression? Vaguely threatening that the war may travel across waters to the U.S. used as a method of persuasion if we don't help is over-the-top aggression. I don't know how he thought that tactic would work with Trump, but I'm glad it didn't, and I'm glad he got booted out of the White House for his disrespect.

He can come back when he wants to make peace.

 

[Unvarnished]

Trump's words are beyond morality and it's a stark reminder of authoritarianism. Threatening entire populations with language like 'you are DEAD' is a sign that America, too, can have a dictator at the helm of power. A lot of people have been complaining about his decision and this is a moment when he must be held accountable for every word he says.

 

[Harsh World]

Threatening entire populations with language like 'you are DEAD'

This was a threat to HAMAS. Would you like HAMAS to still exist and impoversh the people of Palestine?

is a sign that America, too, can have a dictator at the helm of power.

He was democratically elected in 2016 and left office after his term. This in itself proves that he's not a dictator. Otherwise, he would've called off elections, like Obama-era CIA installed Ukrainian President Zelensky did, and remained in power through 2020 until now. I believe he will leave office in 2028 with mission accomplished, passing the torch to Vice President J.D. Vance.

A lot of people have been complaining about his decision and this is a moment

Those people don't matter. American voices matter. U.S. is their country, not anyone else's. Others can voice their complaints all they want, but they are meaningless to Americans as American policies impact American citizens; they may have a ripple effect to other countries, but the goal is to make America great. Other countries can figure out how to turn their problems around as we have found our solution in President Trump.


Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-elon-musk-government-workforce-cuts-opinion-poll-2025-03-02/

More than half of Americans approve of his job so far.

Why should I, as an American, care about the opinions of other countries on how we should run ours?

 

[Shawn]

This would instill so much more fear than 9/11 because you don't know which community they're in since they were flown all over the country. It'd be ghost towns everywhere once a couple of tragic events, "only" taking the lives of a few, kicked off.

More than anything, people need to be watching for changes and suspicious activities.

 

[Pete Griffin]

The People of Ukraine could've done that if the "President" (Dictator) didn't stop Presidential elections, and perhaps with a new leader chosen by the People, could've ended the conflict much sooner with a resolution that helps both Ukraine and Russia, whatever those terms may have looked like.

My friend, Zelenskyy is not a dictator. He is a democratically elected leader of a country which is under martial law due to an invasion by a hostile and belligerent neighbour. He was elected in 2019 with over 73% of the vote in a free and fair election. Ukraine has a functioning parliament, an independent judiciary, and regular elections.

Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine has been under martial law, which has led to temporary restrictions on some democratic processes, such as delaying elections and consolidating media broadcasts. These measures are legal under Ukraine’s constitution during wartime.

In the UK, the 1940 general election was canceled due to the war. Churchill became Prime Minister in May 1940 after Neville Chamberlain resigned, and he led a wartime coalition government without holding a national vote. The next general election wasn’t held until July 1945, after Germany's surrender. This was done to maintain stability and focus on the war effort. Was Churchill also a dictator? Stop spreading lies.

That said, I have faith in Trump, as his approach is something fresh and seemingly doing the job.

Seemingly doing the job? Hmm... Let's consider:

• The stock market has taken a hit, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all in decline. Consumer confidence is at its lowest since 2022, and unpredictable trade policies have investors on edge. Source.
• Trump has expanded executive power aggressively, pardoning key figures from the Capitol attack and placing loyalists in crucial positions. His administration has also threatened media outlets and political opponents, raising concerns about authoritarian tendencies. Source.
• Relations with allies have worsened, with threats against Canada and perceived weakness in Ukraine undermining U.S. credibility. His stance on nuclear policy has also sparked fears of increased proliferation. Source.
• His approval rating has dipped to 47.3%, with disapproval rising. Even after a major speech to Congress, the numbers haven’t rebounded. Source.

Is this your idea of 'doing the job'?

 

[Harsh World]

My friend, Zelenskyy is not a dictator. He is a democratically elected leader of a country which is under martial law due to an invasion by a hostile and belligerent neighbour.

Presidental elections during WWII in the US.

In the UK, the 1940 general election was canceled due to the war. Churchill became Prime Minister in May 1940 after Neville Chamberlain resigned, and he led a wartime coalition government without holding a national vote. The next general election wasn’t held until July 1945, after Germany's surrender. This was done to maintain stability and focus on the war effort. Was Churchill also a dictator? Stop spreading lies.

I guess the US is just built differently. We didn't need to change our democratic process, and still helped the UK win the war.

These measures are legal under Ukraine’s constitution during wartime.

This doesn't make it any less democratic. You could pull the constitution of other countries, and while legal, it doesn't make them a democracy when in effect.

Seemingly doing the job? Hmm... Let's consider:

You can ignore most of this data because it was inherited from Joe Biden. The Inaguration in the US is on January 20, 2025, therefore, anything up until that point can more likely than not be attributed to the previous administration.

The first report in February shows a good downward trajectory of CPI, moving down from 3% in January to 2.8% in February, which would fully account for the economy under Trump (See: BLS CPI).

You also have to understand that it's still going to be rocky until the end of September. All spending passed under Biden won't be able to be rebudgeted until the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2025). All spending happening now has already been allocated under the previous administration. For the best picture of how Trump is doing, we'll have to take a look back on how Trump did with budget cuts/tax cuts on September 30, 2026.

 

[Pete Griffin]

I guess the US is just built differently.

Its probably less that it is 'built differently' and more that is it geographically distant from European conflicts. There is a safety in being surrounded by the two largest oceans on the planet.

 

[Jason]

I think people read too much into Trump's speaking sometimes, but, no doubt, if Trump takes over Gaza to turn it into Disney World, there will be massive death of civilians.

 

[Pete Griffin]

What he is proposing with his bullshit Gaza plan is genocide. It's ethnic cleansing, and there are international laws against that. It would be interesting to see The Hague issue an international arrest warrant for a sitting American president. What a time to be alive!