Donald Trump has revealed a bizarre solution to reduce tensions between the United States and Kim Jong-un: he said he used to tell the North Korean leader that they should attend a baseball game together.
Trump, in his own words, “got along well” with Jong-un, as the two exchanged letters and the former president became the first sitting president to visit North Korea.
And the former president told a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that he would encourage nuclear weapons hoarders to “relax” and “chill out” with the help of some live sports.
“I used to say to him, ‘Why don’t you do something else?’ All he wants to do is buy nuclear weapons and build them,” Trump began.
“I said, ‘Relax, relax. You’ve got enough, you’ve got so many nuclear weapons… Let’s go watch a baseball game, I’ll show you what a baseball game is. We’ll go see the Yankees. Or come see Michigan in their first home game, what do you think?'”
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un developed a close relationship while the former was president
And he apparently suggested that the North Korean leader should “relax” by watching a Yankees game.
That final comment drew a standing ovation from the crowd, who showed their support for the reigning college football champions.
Yankees fans were a bit perplexed by Trump’s comments, however, given the team’s inconsistent play of late.
The team had a 14-13 record last month and many fans pointed out that watching the Bronx Bombers would not be as relaxing for Jong-un.
‘Our closer’s nickname is literally Cardiac Clay,’ one said. wrote‘A Yankees game is not for the faint of heart.’
Other sayingI can’t stress this enough, but watching the New York Yankees right now is not an effective way to calm anyone down, including a nuclear-armed dictator.
Trump says he exchanged ‘love letters’ with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un
Trump holds his first public campaign rally with his running mate, vice presidential candidate U.S. Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) (not pictured), at Van Andel Arena in Michigan.
Jong-un has shown a penchant for at least one sport before, as he is known to have a fascination with basketball and has struck up a friendship with Bulls legend Dennis Rodman.
Last year, Trump was reported to be considering reaching a deal with Jong-un that would allow him to keep some nuclear weapons if he wins a second term next year.
Trump himself, however, dismissed the idea of lifting some sanctions, calling it “fake news.”
Kim is believed to be accelerating his nuclear and missile programs.
He and Trump “fell in love” during their meetings, the former president said, and a later book claimed they stayed in touch even after Trump left office.