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Trump calls Iran the 'Islamic Republic of Japan' in gaffe

newsJul 8, 2026656,893

On July 8 in Turkey at the NATO summit, President Donald Trump in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “we had 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan,” an apparent misstatement when referring to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Trump added, “They were shot at the aircraft carrier,” linking the claim to a naval target. Raw Story reported the remark and said Trump had earlier insulted Zelenskyy to his face, a comment that drew a cold stare from the Ukrainian president. Multiple posts captured the line and widely noted the geographic and factual mismatch of naming Japan as an Islamic republic during a high-profile summit meeting. The gaffe renewed scrutiny of Trump’s public remarks while he sat next to world leaders at the NATO gathering.

Aaron Parnas
@aaronparnas.bsky.social

NEWS: Visibly confused Trump erupts at NATO Summit. He cuts off all trade with Spain, calling Spanish people “hopeless.” He ends Iran deal. Calls Japan “Islamic Republic of Japan” and confuses Zelensky with Putin. America’s largest utility warns of blackouts. Subscribe to support my work:

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