Donald Trump threatens Kim Jong Un ahead of summit
The US president said North Korea could suffer the same fate as Libya - before backtracking

Donald Trump last night issued a blunt threat to North Korea, appearing to suggest that Kim Jong Un could face the same fate as Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi if he didn’t strike a deal at next month’s summit in Singapore.
Asked about a statement by his national security adviser, John Bolton, who said last weekend that the “Libyan model” might be a suitable framework for denuclearisation, Trump said: “The model, if you look at that model with Gaddafi, that was a total decimation. We went in there to beat him. Now that model would take place if we don’t make a deal, most likely.”
The president “appeared to be unaware” that Bolton was referring to the 2003 agreement to hand over Libya’s nuclear arms in exchange for sanctions relief, says The Guardian. Instead, he “interpreted the ‘Libyan model’ to mean the 2011 Nato intervention in Libya”, which resulted in the death of Gaddafi at the hands of rebel forces.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump later appeared to retreat from his threat - and contradict Bolton - in a joint appearance with his national security adviser. “The Libyan model isn't a model that we have at all when we're thinking of North Korea,” he said.
Any deal with North Korea “would be with Kim Jong Un, something where he’d be there, he’d be in his country, he’d be running his country, his country would be very rich, his country would be very industrious”, Trump added.
These remarks “represented a remarkable public guarantee aimed at trying to assuage the North Koreans” ahead of the Singapore summit, says The Washington Post.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Roses: Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch star in black comedy reboot
The Week Recommends 'Acidly enjoyable' remake of the 1980s classic features a warring couple and toxic love
-
Why reports of Donald Trump's demise are greatly exaggerated
In The Spotlight US president has once again brushed aside rumours that he's dead
-
Lose yourself in these magnificent mazes
The Week Recommends These fiendishly clever puzzles aren't just for kids
-
Why reports of Donald Trump's demise are greatly exaggerated
In The Spotlight US president has once again brushed aside rumours that he's dead
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
Trump vows to send federal forces to Chicago, Baltimore
Speed Read The announcement followed a California judge ruling that Trump's LA troop deployment was illegal
-
Epstein files: Maxwell courts a pardon
Feature A new prison transcript shows Ghislaine Maxwell praising Trump as 'a gentleman' while denying his involvement in the Epstein scandal
-
Pentagon readies military deployment in Chicago
Feature The Pentagon is preparing to deploy thousands of Illinois National Guard members to Chicago after Trump threatened to send troops into other major cities
-
Trump reignites Jan. 6 furor by awarding military honors to killed rioter
IN THE SPOTLIGHT With military funeral honors for Ashli Babbitt, the president makes good on campaign promises designed to animate his political base while relitigating history
-
'Is it OK to be happy when the world is falling apart?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'