Donald Trump has given a speech in which he referred to ‘two N words’ when speaking to military leaders.
In a typically off-piste speech at a Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, Trump discussed nuclear submarines, the Middle East, and Russia - as well as making the controversial remark.
In the room, the military leaders, who had been summoned by Secretary of War - as he is now known - Pete Hegseth, remained silent.
Donald Trump jokes about ‘two N words’ during speech to military
It started out as a regular Donald Trump speech, if there is such a thing.
The US president started out by saying that he had moved ‘a submarine or two’ off the coast of Russia, before saying that the word ‘nuclear’ should never be used.
Then, seemingly joking, he added: “I call it the N word. There are two N words, and you can't use either of them.”
The room did not respond to the remark.
This isn’t the first time that Trump has used ‘the N word’ to talk about nuclear weapons, making a similar comment in 2023 during a speech in Florida.
Why was Trump speaking to the military leaders?
Trump addressed the military leaders in Virginia on Tuesday after they were called from their posts around the world by Hegseth.
This summons caused widespread confusion among the military world, as there was no direct reason reported for the call.
As Trump was announced, the room was quiet.
Trump even remarked on this, telling the assembled crowd: “I've never walked into a room so silent before.”
Trump thanked and commended them for their work on the global stage, then mentioned the change of name from the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
He also then spoke of his desire to end wars in the Middle East, as well as Russia and Ukraine, and said that he wanted to upgrade the power of the US armed forces, including nuclear weapons - though he did argue that the USA is ’20 years ahead’ of Russia on that front.
Trump also used the ’N word’ terminology in a Truth Social post back in June, writing: “Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the 'N word' (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran?
"Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination?
“If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY.
“The 'N word' should not be treated so casually.”
He said today that people should not ‘throw around that word’.