US President Donald Trump called on all nations to “stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism” at the Hanukkah celebrations at the White House on Tuesday (local time).
Trump’s speech comes in the wake of the massacre at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, where a father and son duo shot and killed 15 people.
“All nations must stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism…I will always be a friend and supporter of the Jewish people,” Trump said in his speech.
Notably, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said the father-son duo had been influenced by the “ideology of the Islamic State”.
In his speech, the US president also highlighted the “success” of the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, going so far as to call them “the single greatest military attack anyone has ever seen”.
Trump also highlighted his administration’s active role in recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
He also praised Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are negotiating a peace deal with the Ukrainian and Russian governments on behalf of the US.
Trump noted that he had succeeded in brokering a truce between Israel and Hamas, saying that if “Hamas intervenes, they know they’re in big trouble.”
He also claimed that many countries want to dismantle Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon.
The US president, whose recent MRI scan has been the subject of much speculation, also boasted in his speech that he is the healthiest president between himself, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
US Congress is turning anti-Semitic: Trump
Trump continued his attack against US Representative Ilhan Omar, claiming that the US Congress is becoming anti-Semitic.
“You have the AOC plus three. You have those people, Ilhan Omar, she hates the Jews,” the US president said, adding: “And obviously it’s gradually getting worse, less in the Senate, but you’re starting flashes from the Senate as well.”
Trump in the White House ballroom
Trump ended the speech by talking at length about the White House ballroom project.
“It’s going to be the most beautiful ballroom and it’s going to handle inaugurations. It’s got five-inch thick glass windows. Impenetrable by anything but a howitzer. It’s impenetrable,” Trump said, adding, “I think it’s going to be the biggest ballroom in the world.”
Trump’s comments come after a federal judge rejected a bid by preservationists to issue a temporary restraining order against the construction.
“I think it’s going to be the biggest ballroom in the world.” Trump said.
