US EditionTrump makes joke about Pearl Harbor while meeting with Japan’s PM
Trump defended surprise strikes on Iran by citing Pearl Harbor, saying surprise was key and claiming allies were left uninformed intentionally to maintain an advantage.
- On Thursday, March 19, 2026, President Donald Trump in the Oval Office joked, 'Who knows better about surprise than Japan, OK? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?' during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
- Following questions about the Feb. 28 strikes, the president responded that his administration "didn't tell anyone" because it wanted surprise, Trump said.
- Observers said the president's remark drew laughter from those gathered, while Sanae Takaichi remained largely silent and appeared taken aback during Trump's answer.
- Amid rising oil-market pressure, Trump urged Japan to 'step up' on strait security, while Takaichi said help depends on fighting stopping.
- Some 3.2 million people have been displaced and more than 42,000 civilian sites damaged amid the conflict, which cost taxpayers more than $11.3 billion in its first six days.
214 Articles
214 Articles
Trump to Japan's PM: 'Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?'
When asked why the U.S. didn't consult allies in Asia and Europe before attacking Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration wanted the attack to be a 'surprise,' and made a joke referencing Japan's military strike on Pearl Harbor.
Trump jokes about Pearl Harbor in front of Japan’s prime minister during White House meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump made a joke about Pearl Harbor on Thursday during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, while answering a question about why Washington had not informed some allies in advance about its decision to strike Iran. The bilateral meeting was part of the White House’s official schedule for March 19.
Trump compares Iran attack to Pearl Harbor in front of Japan's PM
Donald Trump has defended his surprise attack on Iran by comparing it to Pearl Harbor while he sat next to Japan's prime minister.At an Oval Office press event, Trump was asked by a Japanese reporter why he didn't inform his allies about his war with Iran ahead of time."Who knows better about surprise than Japan?" Trump said.READ MORE: Trump berates allies as he finds himself alone on Iran war"Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"No, you b…
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