US President Donald Trump has drawn criticism for comments he made about Iran and the US election while addressing a group of children at a White House ceremony. The event marks the reinstatement of the Presidential Fitness Testing Awards, according to The Mirror and The Independent.
This is a program that recognizes students who meet physical fitness benchmarks such as sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups and running. Trump was joined at the event by athletes such as Bryson DeChambeau, Gary Player, Amani Oruwariye and Noah Syndergaard, as well as members of his Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Council.
‘You’re probably too young’: Nuclear weapons rhetoric
During the ceremony, Trump also spoke directly to the children present about Iran.
According to the video shared on
In separate remarks cited by Mirror America, Trump added: “They didn’t like playing games with us… We basically wiped out their military in about two weeks.”
Trump also used graphic language to describe violence involving Iranian protesters, saying people were being shot “right in the eyes” and claiming large numbers of people were being killed.
Repeated election claims
The president also revisited his claims about past U.S. elections during the event.
“I thought I was going to win the election easily, and by the way, I did… It was a rigged election,” Trump said, adding that he won “every swing state” and the “popular vote.”
These claims have been controversial.
children yawn
Several children present seemed distracted, with some yawning and fidgeting as Trump continued to speak.
Footage of the event circulated online, drawing criticism from social media users. Some expressed concerns about the nature of the remarks made in front of school children, while others questioned the appropriateness of the occasion.
“Kids are starting to get bored and fidgety. Taking a picture with the president is not worth the torture,” one comment on X read. “That doesn’t stop him from continuing his nonsense. Conversation is his priority,” another comment read.
