Quotes by Donald Trump on North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un
#DonaldTrump 9/19/17: "The depraved regime in North Korea…❲is a❳ band of criminals." » #Trump 7/12/18: "Chairman Kim…it’s an honor to be with you. A very great honor." #KimJongUn Click To Tweet
Quotes by Donald Trump on Kim Jong-un
THEN
2015 - Jan 2018

- Sept 16, 2015
Second Republican Presidential Primary Debate
CNN, Sept. 16, 2015
Transcript: GOP Presidential Debate, September 16, 2015
- Feb 10, 2016
CBS This Morning interview
CBS, Feb. 10, 2016
Trump on assassinating Kim Jong Un: 'I've heard of worse things'
- June 19, 2017
White House, June 19, 2017
Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Passing of Otto Warmbier
“We were all witness to the regime’s deadly abuse when an innocent American college student, Otto Warmbier, was returned to America only to die a few days later. We saw it in the assassination of the dictator’s brother using banned nerve agents in an international airport. We know it kidnapped a sweet 13-year-old Japanese girl from a beach in her own country to enslave her as a language tutor for North Korea’s spies…
“[The regime is a] band of criminals… Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.”
- Sept 19, 2017
White House, Sept. 19, 2017
Remarks by President Trump to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly
- Sept 22, 2017
Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn’t mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2017
- Nov 11, 2017
Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me “old,” when I would NEVER call him “short and fat?” Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend – and maybe someday that will happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017
- Sept 26, 2017
Great interview on @foxandfriends with the parents of Otto Warmbier: 1994 – 2017. Otto was tortured beyond belief by North Korea.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 26, 2017
- Nov 30, 2017
The Chinese Envoy, who just returned from North Korea, seems to have had no impact on Little Rocket Man. Hard to believe his people, and the military, put up with living in such horrible conditions. Russia and China condemned the launch.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2017
- Oct 1, 2017
I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017
…Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017
- Jan 3, 2018
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018
“We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime
to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and our allies. Otto Warmbier was a hardworking student at the University of Virginia. On his way to study abroad in Asia, Otto joined a tour to North Korea. At its conclusion, this wonderful young man was arrested and charged with crimes against the state. After a shameful trial, the dictatorship sentenced Otto to 15 years of hard labor, before returning him to America last June — horribly injured and on the verge of death. He passed away just days after his return.“Otto’s Parents, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, are with us tonight — along with Otto’s brother and sister, Austin and Greta. You are powerful witnesses to a menace that threatens our world, and your strength inspires us all. Tonight, we pledge to honor Otto’s memory with American resolve.”
- Jan 30, 2018
White House, Jan 30, 2018
President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union Address
#DonaldTrump 9/19/17: "❲Kim Jong-un❳ is responsible for…the imprisonment, torture, killing, and oppression of countless ❲North Koreans❳." » #Trump 7/12/18: "Really, he’s got a great personality." Click To Tweet
NOW
June 2018 - 2020

June 12, 2018 -
Trump-Jong-un Singapore Summit
The White House, June 12, 2018
.@POTUS to Kim Jong Un: “Mr. Chairman, it’s a great honor to be with you and I know that we will have tremendous success together.” pic.twitter.com/73aCNImlpY — FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) June 12, 2018
Remarks by President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Before Expanded Bilateral Meeting
June 12, 2018 -
Trump-Jong-un Singapore Summit
U.S. Department of State, June 12, 2018
Remarks by President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at Signing of a Joint Statement
June 12, 2018 -
Trump-Jong-un Singapore Summit
CNBC, June 12, 2018
North Korean starvation and killings? Trump says Kim Jong Un is 'very talented' but not 'nice'
June 12, 2018 -
Voice of America interview
Voice of America, June 12, 2018
Trump to VOA: 'We're Going to Denuke North Korea'
June 12, 2018 -
Voice of America interview
Voice of America, June 12, 2018
Trump to VOA: 'We're Going to Denuke North Korea'
Yeah [he’s done some really bad things], but so have a lot of other people done some really bad things. I could go through a lot of nations where a lot of bad things were done.”
June 14, 2018 -
Fox News (via Real Clear Politics), June 14, 2018
Trump on Kim Jong Un: 'A Lot Of Other People Have Done Some Really Bad Things'
June 15, 2018 -
Real Politics, June 15, 2018
Full Replay: President Trump Press Conference On I.G. Report; 'Totally Exonerated'
June 15, 2018 -
Fox & Friends interview; when asked about this quote later Trump said he was 'kidding.'
Politico, June 15, 2018
Trump: I want 'my people' to 'sit up at attention' like in North Korea
July 12, 2018 -
A very nice note from Chairman Kim of North Korea. Great progress being made! pic.twitter.com/6NI6AqL0xt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2018
Sept 6, 2018 -
Kim Jong Un of North Korea proclaims “unwavering faith in President Trump.” Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2018
Sept 26, 2018 -
Washington Post, Sept 26, 2018
President Trump’s U.N. press conference, annotated
Sept 29, 2018 -
Trump rally, Wheeling, West Virginia
USA Today, Sept. 30, 2018
President Donald Trump on Kim Jong Un: 'We fell in love' over 'beautiful letters'
“I believe he likes me. I like him. We have a good relationship. It’s very important…
“I get along with him really well. I have a good energy with him. I have a good chemistry with him… I get along with him. It’s very important.”
Oct 11, 2018 -
CBS News, Oct 15, 2018
President Trump on Christine Blasey Ford, his relationships with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un and more
Dec 14, 2018 -
Many people have asked how we are doing in our negotiations with North Korea – I always reply by saying we are in no hurry, there is wonderful potential for great economic success for that country….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018
….Kim Jong Un sees it better than anyone and will fully take advantage of it for his people. We are doing just fine!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018
Dec 24, 2018 -
Christmas Eve briefing with my team working on North Korea – Progress being made. Looking forward to my next summit with Chairman Kim! pic.twitter.com/zPTtDbrP0o
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018
Feb 3, 2019 -
CBS News, Feb 3, 2019
Transcript: President Trump on 'Face the Nation,' February 3, 2019
Feb 6, 2019 -
State of the Union Speech
CNN, Feb 6, 2019
State of the Union 2019: Read the full transcript
Feb 7, 2019 -
Great meeting and dinner with Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam tonight. Looking forward to continuing our discussions tomorrow! #HanoiSummit pic.twitter.com/J3x6lUGzjS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019
Feb 8, 2019 -
North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, will become a great Economic Powerhouse. He may surprise some but he won’t surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is. North Korea will become a different kind of Rocket – an Economic one!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2019
Feb 22, 2019 -
White House, Feb 22, 2019
Remarks by President Trump Before Meeting with Vice Premier Liu He of the People’s Republic of China
Feb 26, 2019 -
Vietnam is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearize. The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un. We will know fairly soon – Very Interesting!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019
Feb 27, 2019 -
CNN, Feb 27, 2019
President Trump meets with Kim Jong Un
“There’s a warmth that we have and I hope that stays. I think it will… I think the relationship was very warm, and when we walked away it was a very friendly walk. We just like each other. We have a good relationship…
“What happened [to Otto Warmbier] is horrible. I really believe something horrible happened to him, and I really don’t think the top leadership knew about it. And when they had to send him home…Otto came back in a condition that was terrible. And I did speak about it, but I don’t believe [Kim] would have allowed that to happen. It just wasn’t to his advantage to allow that to happen. Those prisons are rough, they’re rough places and bad things happened. But I really don’t believe that he was — I don’t believe he knew about it…
“[Kim] felt badly about it. He knew the case very well, but he knew it later. And you’ve got a lot of people, big country, a lot of people. And in those prisons and those camps you have a lot of people. And some really bad things happened to Otto, some really, really bad things. He tells me that he didn’t know about it, and I will take him at his word.”
Feb 28, 2019 -
Press conference in Hanoi, Vietnam
Vox, Feb 28, 2019
Read the full transcript of Trump’s North Korea summit press conference in Vietnam
March 1, 2019 -
I never like being misinterpreted, but especially when it comes to Otto Warmbier and his great family. Remember, I got Otto out along with three others. The previous Administration did nothing, and he was taken on their watch. Of course I hold North Korea responsible….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2019
….for Otto’s mistreatment and death. Most important, Otto Warmbier will not have died in vain. Otto and his family have become a tremendous symbol of strong passion and strength, which will last for many years into the future. I love Otto and think of him often!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2019
March 2, 2019 -
C-SPAN, March 2, 2019
Trump on Otto Warmbier: "I'm in such a horrible position, b/c in one way I have to negotiate, in the other way, I love Mr and Mrs Warmbier and I love Otto… I lot of what I do with respect to NK & and success that we hopefully have, we are given no credit." pic.twitter.com/P4sJTQWJzE — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 2, 2019
President Trump at Conservative Political Action Conference
June 16, 2019 -
ABC News, June 16, 2019
Transcript: ABC News' George Stephanopoulos' exclusive interview with President Trump
Aug 2, 2019 -
Kim Jong Un and North Korea tested 3 short range missiles over the last number of days. These missiles tests are not a violation of our signed Singapore agreement, nor was there discussion of short range missiles when we shook hands. There may be a United Nations violation, but..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
…..Chairman Kim does not want to disappoint me with a violation of trust, there is far too much for North Korea to gain – the potential as a Country, under Kim Jong Un’s leadership, is unlimited. Also, there is far too much to lose. I may be wrong, but I believe that……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
….Chariman Kim has a great and beautiful vision for his country, and only the United States, with me as President, can make that vision come true. He will do the right thing because he is far too smart not to, and he does not want to disappoint his friend, President Trump!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
Aug 9, 2019 -
ORG, Aug 9, 2019
After 'beautiful letter'and more N.K. launches, Trump says he'll meet with Kim again
Aug 10, 2019 -
In a letter to me sent by Kim Jong Un, he stated, very nicely, that he would like to meet and start negotiations as soon as the joint U.S./South Korea joint exercise are over. It was a long letter, much of it complaining about the ridiculous and expensive exercises. It was…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2019
….also a small apology for testing the short range missiles, and that this testing would stop when the exercises end. I look forward to seeing Kim Jong Un in the not too distant future! A nuclear free North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2019
Aug 26, 2019 -
Politico, Aug 26, 2019
White House clarifies that Melania Trump has not met Kim Jong Un
April 18, 2020 -
Real Clear Politics, April 18, 2020
Trump: 'Our Relationship With China Was Good Until They Did This'
Sept 7, 2020 -
Just heard that Wacko John Bolton was talking of the fact that I discussed “love letters from Kim Jong Un” as though I viewed them as just that. Obviously, was just being sarcastic. Bolton was such a jerk!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2020
Sept 10, 2020 -
Kim Jong Un is in good health. Never underestimate him!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 10, 2020
“‘He gets along with Putin, that’s a terrible thing’ — no, it’s a good thing if I get along, that’s good. He likes me — I like him. Not so bad. ‘He gets along with Kim Jong-Un, that’s a terrible thing’ — no, it’s a good thing... It’s okay not to go to war, it’s really okay.”
Sept 10, 2020 -
Raw Story, Sept 10, 2020
"He's a smart guy. Very smart guy. Smart. We get along" — Trump praises totalitarian dictator Kim Jong Un. He then notes that he also gets along with Putin (we've noticed). pic.twitter.com/dH11e8IAT8 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 11, 2020
Trump praises two dictators in less than one minute at Michigan rally: Putin ‘likes me — I like him’
Oct 26, 2020 -
New York Magazine, Oct 26, 2020
Trump, who has repeatedly said that foreign leaders want Biden to win because Trump is so hard on them, now makes stuff up and claims that a foreign leader told him they want Trump to win because "we don't want to deal with someone who sleeps all the time." pic.twitter.com/4S8neuLIoj — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 26, 2020
Trump Admits China, Russia, North Korea Are Rooting for Him to Beat Biden
#DonaldTrump 9/22/17: "Kim Jong-un…is obviously a madman." » #Trump 9/29/18: "He wrote me beautiful letters…We fell in love." #NorthKorea Click To Tweet
“We have been respectful during this summit process. Now we must speak out. Kim and his evil regime are responsible for the death of our son Otto. Kim and his evil regime are responsible for unimaginable cruelty and inhumanity. No excuses or lavish praise can change that. Thank you.”
– Fred and Cindy Warmbier, March 1, 20191CNN, March 1, 2019
Otto Warmbier’s family rebukes Trump, says Kim Jong Un is responsible for son’s death
retrieved 3/2/19