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U.S. President Donald Trump spoke in a CBS News 60 Minutes interview, touching on foreign policy hot spots—including threats to halt aid to Nigeria, remarks on Venezuela’s leadership, the situation in Gaza, and ongoing questions about U.S. support for Ukraine.
President Trump warned that the United States could suspend all assistance to Nigeria and even consider military action over what he described as the killing of Christians in the West African country.
Posting on his Truth Social account, Trump said that if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians,” the U.S. would “immediately cut all aid and support” and might “go in with the weapons blasting.”
“I’m directing our War Department to be prepared for possible action,” Trump wrote.
“If we strike, it will be fast, fierce, and sweet, just like the terrorists attack our beloved Christians.”
In response, Nigerian presidential adviser Daniel Bwala said Nigeria “welcomes U.S. assistance as long as it recognizes our territorial integrity.”
He rejected Trump’s allegations, emphasizing that there was “no Christian genocide” in the country and that Nigeria “does not discriminate against any tribe or religion in the fight against insecurity.”
Security analysts note that militant groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have targeted both Muslims and Christians, with the vast majority of victims being Muslim.
Trump’s comments came a day after the U.S. re-added Nigeria to its “Countries of Particular Concern” list for alleged violations of religious freedom.
During an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump said that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s “days are numbered” but dismissed the likelihood of a full-scale war with Venezuela.
Asked whether the U.S. might strike Venezuela, Trump replied, “I would say yeah, I think so,” when referring to Maduro’s future as president, but added, “I wouldn’t be inclined to say that I would do that,” regarding potential military strikes.
Trump also criticized the Maduro government for allegedly allowing “hundreds of thousands of unwanted people from prisons and mental institutions” to enter the U.S., calling it “very bad treatment” toward America.
He reiterated that his administration’s stance toward Venezuela was linked to what he described as narcotics trafficking and the transfer of prisoners, saying, “This is almost the number one reason” for possible action.
Trump also addressed the ongoing situation in Gaza and Israeli politics. He said the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was “not fragile” but “very solid,” warning that “if Hamas doesn’t behave, they will be eliminated.”
“If I wanted them disarmed, it would happen very quickly,” Trump said.
The U.S. president added that he plans to be “involved” in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial “to help him out a little bit,” calling the proceedings “very unfair.”
“I don’t think they treat him very well,” Trump said in his CBS interview, describing Netanyahu as “a very talented guy” and “the kind of leader Israel needed in wartime.”
Trump confirmed that he had “pushed [Netanyahu] a little one way or the other” during discussions on Gaza peace efforts but said he maintained good working relations with him.
He also claimed that under his leadership, Iran “no longer has nuclear capability,” saying, “We destroyed it and then stopped when the time came.”
On relations with China, Trump said that U.S.-China rivalry has intensified but emphasized that the two nations could “work together to become better and stronger.”
When asked whether Chinese President Xi Jinping or Russian President Vladimir Putin was tougher, Trump said, “Both are tough. Both are smart. Both are very strong leaders. These are serious people.”
He added that Putin “wants to trade with us” and that such cooperation could be “great for Russia.”
Addressing the question of nuclear testing, Trump said the U.S. “must resume tests” to ensure its arsenal’s readiness, claiming that “Russia and China conduct nuclear tests but don’t talk about it.”
“We have more nuclear weapons than anyone else,” he said. “We could blow up the world 150 times.”
Regarding Ukraine, Trump confirmed he is “not really” considering sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv at this stage, despite reports that the Pentagon has cleared such a transfer.
Asked whether the situation could change, Trump said, “No, not really… things can change, but at this moment I’m not.”
Officials said the Pentagon’s assessment found that providing the missiles would not deplete U.S. stockpiles. The final decision remains with the president.
European allies had hoped Washington would approve the transfer, as the missiles could enable Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory. However, Trump recently told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the U.S. “needs the Tomahawks” for its own defense.
Trump also noted that he has grown frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unwillingness to engage in peace talks, confirming he recently approved new sanctions on Russian oil companies and suspended a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest.
When asked whether he plans to run for a third presidential term, Trump ruled out the idea, saying, “I don’t even think about it.”
“A lot of people want me to run,” he told CBS, “but we have an unbelievable bench. We could run two people together. It’s too early to talk about elections.”
The U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms in office.
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