Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea from the United Nations podium

Date: 2017-09-19
Entry type: threat-of-force
Current status: Explicit conditional threat of force; this entry records no resulting use of force.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-03

Entities and roles

Donald J. Trumppresident making the threat
Democratic People's Republic of Koreastate targeted by the threat

Claims and evidence

factdocumented
Trump told the United Nations that if the United States were forced to defend itself or its allies, it would have no choice but to “totally destroy” North Korea.
- The White House: Remarks by President Trump to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General AssemblyNorth Korea section