Quotes by Donald Trump on Protecting the Kurds
#DonaldTrump 7/12/18: "The Kurds are great people…wonderful, warm, intelligent allies." » #Trump 10/7/19: "It is time for us to get out…the Kurds will now have to figure the situation out." Click To Tweet
Quotes by Donald Trump on Protecting the Kurds
THEN
2018 - June 2019

- July 12, 2018
White House, July 12, 2018
Remarks by President Trump at Press Conference After NATO Summit | Brussels, Belgium
“We do get along great with the Kurds. We’re trying to help them a lot. Don’t forget, that’s their territory. We have to help them. I want to help them… They fought with us. They died with us. They died. We lost — tens of thousands of Kurds died fighting ISIS. They died for us and with us…I don’t forget what happens someday later, but I can tell you that I don’t forget. These are great people.”
- Sept 26, 2018
Washington Post, Sept 26, 2018
.@realDonaldTrump calls Kurdistan 24’s Rahim Rashidi “Mr. Kurd.” “We have to help them. These are great people.” #TwitterKurds #Kurdistan pic.twitter.com/BWbzJEMyIj — Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) September 26, 2018
President Trump’s U.N. press conference, annotated
- Jan 2, 2019
White House, Jan 3, 2019
tRump on Syria at cabinet meeting on January 2, 2019: "We want to protect the Kurds. But I don't want to be in Syria forever. It's sand and it's death." #tRumpWordSalad #tRumpSaladBar pic.twitter.com/jvVJOKyyQi — Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) January 3, 2019
Remarks by President Trump in Cabinet Meeting
- June 29, 2019
White House, June 29, 2019
Remarks by President Trump in Press Conference | Osaka, Japan
#DonaldTrump 9/26/18: "Tens of thousands of Kurds died fighting ISIS…I don’t forget." » #Trump 10/9/19: "The Kurds…didn’t help us in the Second World War, they didn’t help us with Normandy." Click To Tweet
NOW
Oct 2019

Oct 7, 2019 -
The United States was supposed to be in Syria for 30 days, that was many years ago. We stayed and got deeper and deeper into battle with no aim in sight. When I arrived in Washington, ISIS was running rampant in the area. We quickly defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate,…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
….including capturing thousands of ISIS fighters, mostly from Europe. But Europe did not want them back, they said you keep them USA! I said “NO, we did you a great favor and now you want us to hold them in U.S. prisons at tremendous cost. They are yours for trials.” They…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
…..again said “NO,” thinking, as usual, that the U.S. is always the “sucker,” on NATO, on Trade, on everything. The Kurds fought with us, but were paid massive amounts of money and equipment to do so. They have been fighting Turkey for decades. I held off this fight for….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
….almost 3 years, but it is time for us to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars, many of them tribal, and bring our soldiers home. WE WILL FIGHT WHERE IT IS TO OUR BENEFIT, AND ONLY FIGHT TO WIN. Turkey, Europe, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Russia and the Kurds will now have to…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
…figure the situation out, and what they want to do with the captured ISIS fighters in their “neighborhood.” They all hate ISIS, have been enemies for years. We are 7000 miles away and will crush ISIS again if they come anywhere near us!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
Oct 7, 2019 -
As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). They must, with Europe and others, watch over…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
….the captured ISIS fighters and families. The U.S. has done far more than anyone could have ever expected, including the capture of 100% of the ISIS Caliphate. It is time now for others in the region, some of great wealth, to protect their own territory. THE USA IS GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
Oct 7, 2019 -
Washington Post, Oct 10, 2019
‘They didn’t help us with Normandy’: Trump abandons the Kurds — rhetorically if not literally
Oct 8, 2019 -
We may be in the process of leaving Syria, but in no way have we Abandoned the Kurds, who are special people and wonderful fighters. Likewise our relationship with Turkey, a NATO and Trading partner, has been very good. Turkey already has a large Kurdish population and fully….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019
….understands that while we only had 50 soldiers remaining in that section of Syria, and they have been removed, any unforced or unnecessary fighting by Turkey will be devastating to their economy and to their very fragile currency. We are helping the Kurds financially/weapons!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019
Oct 9, 2019 -
Washington Post, Oct 10, 2019
‘They didn’t help us with Normandy’: Trump abandons the Kurds — rhetorically if not literally
Oct 9, 2019 -
The Hill, Oct 9, 2019
Trump defends Syria move: The Kurds 'didn't help us' in Normandy
Oct 10, 2019 -
Turkey has been planning to attack the Kurds for a long time. They have been fighting forever. We have no soldiers or Military anywhere near the attack area. I am trying to end the ENDLESS WARS. Talking to both sides. Some want us to send tens of thousands of soldiers to….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019
….the area and start a new war all over again. Turkey is a member of NATO. Others say STAY OUT, let the Kurds fight their own battles (even with our financial help). I say hit Turkey very hard financially & with sanctions if they don’t play by the rules! I am watching closely.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019
Oct 10, 2019 -
We defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate and no longer have any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria. We did our job perfectly! Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019
….We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win Militarily, hit Turkey very hard Financially and with Sanctions, or mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019
“So, in the case of Turkey and Syria and the Kurds, we could send in a thousand troops for a military conflict with Turkey. No, you don’t want to do that. We could hit Turkey very hard financially or we could mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds. I like that, you know, let’s mediate a deal but remember, they’ve been fighting each other for hundreds of years.”
Oct 10, 2019 -
Factbase, Oct 10, 2019
Speech: Donald Trump Holds a Political Rally in Minneapolis, Minnesota - October 10, 2019
Oct 11, 2019 -
White House, Oct 12, 2019
Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure
Oct 12, 2019 -
Factbase, Oct 12, 2019
Speech: Donald Trump Addresses the Value Voters Summit in Washington - October 12, 2019
“[Turkish President Recep Erdoğan] has been building up for a year on his border. They have a tremendous unlimited amount of soldiers because, you know, Turkey is right there. It’s their border. And they have been fighting with the Kurds for many years, for centuries, they’ve been fighting with the Kurds. And it’s like some people go to lunch, that’s what they do, they fight with the Kurds. It’s time for us to leave.”
Oct 12, 2019 -
Fox News (via Factbase), Oct 12, 2019
Interview: Jeanine Pirro with Donald Trump on Justice With Judge Jeanine on Fox - October 12, 2019
Oct 13, 2019 -
…..The Kurds and Turkey have been fighting for many years. Turkey considers the PKK the worst terrorists of all. Others may want to come in and fight for one side or the other. Let them! We are monitoring the situation closely. Endless Wars!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2019
Oct 14, 2019 -
Brian Kilmeade over at @foxandfriends got it all wrong. We are not going into another war between people who have been fighting with each other for 200 years. Europe had a chance to get their ISIS prisoners, but didn’t want the cost. “Let the USA pay,” they said…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019
….Kurds may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, but they should move quickly. Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO Member Turkey? Never ending wars will end!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019
Oct 14, 2019 -
After defeating 100% of the ISIS Caliphate, I largely moved our troops out of Syria. Let Syria and Assad protect the Kurds and fight Turkey for their own land. I said to my Generals, why should we be fighting for Syria….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019
….and Assad to protect the land of our enemy? Anyone who wants to assist Syria in protecting the Kurds is good with me, whether it is Russia, China, or Napoleon Bonaparte. I hope they all do great, we are 7,000 miles away!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019
“Now, the PKK, which is a part of the Kurds, as you know, is probably worse at terror and more of a terrorist threat in many ways than ISIS… We have two countries wanting their land. We have one country that wants land perhaps that doesn’t belong to them because they want to have a–a 22 mile strip of–they call it freedom. They called it a lot of things. They want to get terrorists out. You have another country that says you can’t have our land. And they’re going to have to work that out.”
Oct 16, 2019 -
Real Clear Politics, Oct 16, 2019
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2019
Trump: I'm Embarrassed To Say How Many Countries The U.S. Military Is In, It Is So Foolish
“We’ve put massive sanctions on Turkey… If Syria wants to fight for their land, that’s up to Turkey and Syria, as it has been for hundreds of years, they’ve been fighting. And the Kurds have been fighting for hundreds of years — that whole mess. It’s been going along for a long time. Syria may have some help with Russia, and that’s fine. It’s a lot of sand. They’ve got a lot of sand over there. So there’s a lot of sand that they can play with…
“I think we’re doing a very good job in the sense of, strategically, we have Syria talking about their land. It’s not our land. Turkey has gone on to Syria. And, if Turkey goes into Syria, that’s between Turkey and Syria…
“The Kurds are much safer right now, but the Kurds know how to fight. And, as I said, they’re not angels. They’re not angels, if you take a look. You have to go back and take a look. But they fought with us. We paid a lot of money for them to fight with us, and that’s okay. They did well when they fought with us; they didn’t do so well when they didn’t fight with us.”
Oct 16, 2019 -
Although widely reported elsewhere 'It’s not our problem' is not in the White House transcript.
White House, Oct 16, 2019
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 16, 2019
Remarks by President Trump and President Mattarella of the Italian Republic Before Bilateral Meeting
Trump says Turkey invading Syria has "nothing to do with us," adds that the Kurds "aren't angels" pic.twitter.com/JooscZplZR
Oct 16, 2019 -
Factbase, Oct 16, 2019
Press Conference: Donald Trump Hosts an Event with Sergio Mattarella of Italy
“As a group I want to thank the Kurds because they were incredibly happy with this solution. This is a solution that really well, it saved their lives frankly. It saved their lives. So, we’ve done a great thing for our partner. If we didn’t go this unconventional tough love approach they could have never gotten it done… The Kurds were great. Great day for the Kurds. It’s really a great day for civilization…
“Sanctions won’t be necessary because Turkey is doing what they’re doing… What Turkey is getting now is they’re not going to have to kill millions of people and millions of people aren’t going to have to kill them. I mean, this was going to be a war of lots of other groups coming in. This wasn’t going to stop with Turkey against the Kurds… It was going to be very nasty… This is a situation where everybody is happy.”
Oct 17, 2019 -
Real Clear Politics, Oct 17, 2019
Referring to Kurds living along Turkish border in Syria, Trump says of Turkey, "they had to have it cleaned out." pic.twitter.com/W8J7IFctO3 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 17, 2019
Trump: Turkey Ceasefire An ‘Incredible Outcome’ That ‘Saved Lives,’ This Is A ‘Great Day For Civilization’
Oct 17, 2019 -
Factbase, Oct 17, 2019
Donald Trump Holds a Political Rally in Dallas, Texas
Oct 21, 2019 -
Fox News (via Factbase), Oct 21, 2019
Sean Hannity Interviews Donald Trump at The White House
“Over the last five days, you have seen that a ceasefire that we established along Syria’s border has held, and it’s held very well, beyond most expectations. Early this morning, the government of Turkey informed my administration that they would be stopping combat and their offensive in Syria, and making the ceasefire permanent… I have therefore instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to lift all sanctions imposed on October 14th in response to Turkey’s original offensive moves against the Kurds in Syria’s northeast border region…
“We’ve secured the oil, and, therefore, a small number of U.S. troops will remain in the area where they have the oil. And we’re going to be protecting it…
“Turkey, Syria, and all forms of the Kurds, have been fighting for centuries. We have done them a great service, and we’ve done a great job for all of them. And now we’re getting out… Let someone else fight over this long-bloodstained sand…
“Countless lives are now being saved as a result of our negotiation with Turkey… we’ve saved the lives of many, many Kurds.”<'p>
“Today’s announcement validates our course of action with Turkey that only a couple of weeks ago were scorned, and now people are saying, ‘Wow. What a great outcome. Congratulations.’“
Oct 23, 2019 -
White House, Oct 23, 2019
Remarks by President Trump on the Situation in Northern Syria
Oct 24, 2019 -
I really enjoyed my conversation with General @MazloumAbdi. He appreciates what we have done, and I appreciate what the Kurds have done. Perhaps it is time for the Kurds to start heading to the Oil Region!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2019
Oct 25, 2019 -
Turkey fully understands not to fire on the Kurds as they leave what will be known as the Safe Zone for other fairly nearby areas. I don’t have to repeat that large scale Sanctions will be imposed for violations. Going well! ISIS secured by Kurds with Turkey ready as backup…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2019
“I think it’s great [that we withdrew from the Kurdish border zone].
“Look, we don’t want to keep soldiers between Syria and Turkey for the next 200 years. They have been fighting for hundreds of years. We’re out. But we are leaving soldiers to secure the oil. Now, we may have to fight for the oil. That’s OK…
“So we don’t want to be keeping Syria and Turkey — they’re going to have to make their own decision. The Kurds have worked along incredibly with us, but, in all fairness, it was much easier dealing with the Kurds after they went through three days of fighting, because that was a brutal three days. And if I — we would have said to the Kurds, do you mind moving over seven miles? Because they were in the middle, mostly. So you have seven or eight miles. Could you mind moving over?
“Because, I have to say, Turkey has taken tremendous deaths from that part of the world. You know, we call it a safe zone, but it was anything but a safe zone. Turkey has lost thousands and thousands of people from that safe zone. So they have always wanted that safe zone for many years. I’m glad I was able to help them get it. But we don’t want to be there. We want to be home. I want our soldiers home or fighting something that’s meaningful…
“The oil is, you know, so valuable…we should be able to take some also. And what I intend to do, perhaps, is make a deal with an ExxonMobil or one of our great companies to go in there and do it properly… But no, we’re protecting the oil, we’re securing the oil… I want to bring our soldiers back home, but I do want to secure the oil.“
Oct 28, 2019 -
Washington Post, Oct 28, 2019
Trump’s news conference on Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death, annotated
#DonaldTrump 1/2/19: "The Kurds, our partners…we want to protect the Kurds." » #Trump 10/11/19: "Turkey and the Kurds have been fighting for hundreds of years. We are out of there." Click To Tweet
Trump vs. Trump: Kurds Edition pic.twitter.com/eqMMwNWtlg
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) October 17, 2019
“You have given up on us. You are leaving us to be slaughtered. You are not willing to protect the people, but you do not want another force to come and protect us. You have sold us. This is immoral. I need to know if you are capable of protecting my people, of stopping these bombs falling on us or not. I need to know, because if you’re not, I need to make a deal with Russia and the regime now and invite their planes to protect this region.”
– General Mazloum Kobani Abdi, Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Oct 10, 20191CNN, Oct 12, 2019
Exclusive: Military leader of Syrian Kurds tells US ‘you are leaving us to be slaughtered’
retrieved 10/12/19
Thank you Prime Minister Erdogan for joining us yesterday to celebrate the launch of #TrumpTowers Istanbul!
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) April 20, 2012
“I have a little conflict of interest because I have a major, major building in Istanbul and it’s a tremendously successful job. It’s called Trump Towers — two towers instead of one, not the usual one, it’s two.”
– Donald Trump, Dec 1, 20152Breitbart (via Factbase), Dec 1, 2015
Interview: Steve Bannon Interviews Donald Trump on Breitbart News Daily – December 1, 2015
retrieved 10/12/19