Trump: If Gaza hostages are not released, "apocalypse" will strike the Middle East
Washington, January 8 (Hibya) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stated that if hostages held in Gaza are not released by Inauguration Day, the Middle East will face "hell."
At a press conference lasting over an hour at Mar-a-Lago, Trump discussed his second-term agenda, including the possibility of using the military to regain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. He also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "American Gulf."
In response to a journalist's question, Trump said, "I can't guarantee either of these things. But I can tell you they are essential for our economic security."
Trump claimed that the Panama Canal, handed over to Panamanian control in 1999 under a 1977 agreement, is "operated by China." This claim came following his repeated calls to return the strategic waterway to U.S. control.
Trump stated, "The Panama Canal was built for our military. Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. It's operated by China. China! And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, not to China."
Regarding Greenland, Trump threatened economic sanctions against Denmark, stating he would impose "very high tariffs against Denmark" if the country resisted his territorial ambitions.
His fiery rhetoric also extended to expressing interest in the "economic integration" of Canada as a U.S. state and criticizing the military support provided to one of America's closest allies.
During the meeting, Trump also opposed legal cases against him, including a hush money penalty and the investigation by Special Counsel Jack Smith. He called a judge's decision to block Smith's latest report "great news." Trump also stated he was considering pardoning January 6 rioters accused of violent crimes.
Albania News Agency