Donald Trump boasted to reporters on Monday that he could “do anything I want with” Cuba — a remark that drew fierce backlash online and was slammed as “batshit behavior from the President of the United States” by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).
Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked the president whether his desire for regime change in the communist-led Caribbean island would involve a surprise seizure — like the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro — or a military campaign similar to his war in Iran.
Trump went on to describe Cuba as a “failed nation” with “no money” or oil, but praised its landscape and “great” people who are “very entrepreneurial,” adding that those who immigrated to Florida would be keen to return.
He also falsely claimed Cuba is “not in a hurricane zone, which is nice for a change” because “they won’t be asking us for money for hurricanes every week.” Cuba has been hit by dozens of hurricanes over the years, including 2001’s Hurricane Michelle, which destroyed about 10,000 homes, and last year’s Hurricane Melissa, which damaged or destroyed more than 900,000.
Trump then said: “All my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe I’ll have the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor.”
“Taking Cuba?” asked Doocy.
“Taking Cuba in some form, you know,” Trump replied. “Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth.”
He added that Cuba is a “very weakened nation” with “very violent leaders.”
