Ukraine: Politico Reports 'Furious' Donald Trump Wanted to Nuke Russia
Former US President Donald Trump reportedly considered using nuclear weapons against Russia during the early days of the invasion of Ukraine, according to a new report from Politico.
The report, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, claims that Trump was "furious" over the invasion and demanded that his advisors explore the possibility of a nuclear strike.
The sources said that Trump was particularly incensed by Russian President Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons if NATO forces intervened in the conflict.
Trump's advisors reportedly talked him out of the idea, arguing that it would trigger a global nuclear war.
The report has not been independently verified, and the White House has declined to comment.
If true, it would be the first time that a US president has seriously considered using nuclear weapons since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
The report is likely to raise further questions about Trump's fitness for office and his ability to handle nuclear weapons.
Trump has repeatedly made statements suggesting that he is willing to use nuclear weapons, including during his presidency.
In 2018, he said that he would be "very, very uncomfortable" if North Korea developed nuclear weapons, but that he would "totally destroy" the country if necessary.
In 2019, he said that he would be willing to use nuclear weapons against Iran if it attacked US forces.
The Politico report is the latest in a series of revelations about Trump's actions during the early days of the Ukraine invasion.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Trump had pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate his political rivals.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, but the revelations have raised further questions about his conduct in office.
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