This article was originally published by G. Calder at The Exposé.
A recording has surfaced in which Donald Trump says he threatened Russia and China with military action. The audio, which apparently captures Trump telling donors that he warned major world leaders of consequences they would face if crossing geopolitical lines, is now circulating worldwide. Amidst speculation about its authenticity, it’s impossible to ignore the public and diplomatic ramifications of such a recording. Is it just another excerpt of Trump’s usual bravado – or the brewing of further global conflict?
What Trump Said
Published by CNN and cited in an upcoming publication by Washington Post journalists, Trump can be heard making explicit threats:
With Putin, I said, “If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the s*** out of Moscow. I’m telling you I have no choice”. So he goes like “I don’t believe you”. He said “no way” and I said “way”. He believed me 10%. I told you this, he believed me 10%.
Then I’m with President Xi of China. I said the same thing to them, I said you know “if you go into Taiwan, I’m gonna bomb the s*** out of Beijing”. He thought I was crazy, he said, “Beijing?! You’re gonna bomb –“. I said, “I have no choice. I got to bomb you”. He didn’t believe me either, he said 10%. And 10% is all you need. In fact 5% would have been ok too.
The full recording can be heard here: CNN
These comments were made during a private event in 2024 to a room of campaign donors – and were seemingly not intended to be official diplomatic remarks. So, while this is not a Presidential guarantee of future conflict, it may be a window into the mind of the world’s most powerful man.
Is It Real?
The existence of the recording has been confirmed by CNN, and the journalists who acquired it claim it has been vetted and later verified. Despite the obvious questions about AI enhancement, it appears genuine to the press. But the Kremlin is not so sure, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling reporters it’s “unclear whether the report is fake“, and China has not commented on it publicly.
If real, the quotes would constitute some of the most aggressive, direct foreign policy threats ever made by a U.S. President – even in private. Considering that these claims were allegedly made to political donors, rather than foreign leaders or military officials, another layer of controversy is added.
Recklessness or Doctrine?
Throughout Trump’s political career, he has always embraced a strategy of unpredictability. Some would say that these threatening remarks reinforce what is becoming known as Trump’s deterrence doctrine — stark, dramatic, and sometimes theatrical:
- Supporters argue that the recorded comments show strength and deter further conflict
- Critics say they are reckless, undiplomatic, and risk unnecessary escalation with foreign leaders
Whether insights into genuine policy or simply off-the-cuff rhetoric secretly captured in an otherwise private event, the statements have now spread worldwide.
Strategic Risk & Rising Instability
The leak comes at a fragile geopolitical moment. Alongside the U.S.’s recent involvement in Israel, Iran, and beyond, we must remember that there are other situations afoot:
- The Russia-Ukraine war continues with no apparent resolution in sight
- China’s pressure on Taiwan keeps increasing, having already drawn sharp warnings from U.S. defence officials
Although no direct responses from Beijing or Moscow have been issued, these recent revelations – and how they could be interpreted by various powers – may yet fuel suspicion or strategic posturing
Echoes from Past Presidents: Nixon, Reagan, and the Art of the Threat
Trump’s trademark approach is not new. He is critiqued today for what some believe is an attitude never seen before in positions of power, but a couple of decades ago, we saw similar behaviour:
In 1984, Reagan joked that the U.S. “would begin bombing Russia in five minutes” in an off-mic comment that was later leaked. The Soviet Union called the statement “unprecedentedly hostile”, evidence of the United States’ insincerity at trying to improve the two countries’ relationship, and an abuse of the office of the president.
Nixon pursued a “madman strategy”, aiming to make adversaries believe he was irrational enough to use nuclear weapons, thereby deterring leaders of hostile nations from provoking the United States. The idea was to create a psychological advantage in international relations, as opponents would be more cautious in their dealings with a leader perceived as unstable. However, its effectiveness has been debated, with critics arguing that it actually heightened tensions and led to unintended consequences, undermining diplomatic efforts. Although it may have had some success in influencing Soviet perceptions, it did not help in Vietnam, and may have instead ensured that North Vietnam remained resolute in response to Nixon’s threats.
Final Thought
Whether Trump’s words were posturing or policy, the implications may yet have serious consequences. As we’ve seen in past Presidential examples, there are different ways that comments like these can be interpreted and acted upon. However, in today’s age of perception-driven action, it’s possible that statements as bold as these could escalate the very threats they aim to deter.
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