“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will.
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Trump Threatens 'Whole Civilization Will Die' in Iran Ultimatum
April 7, 2026
On April 7, 2026, hours before his 8 p.m. ET deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump posted on Truth Social that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again." The threat — his most extreme public rhetoric of the Iran war — drew condemnation from Democrats calling for the 25th Amendment, criticism from some Republicans, and accusations of a threat to commit genocide from Amnesty International. Iran called the statement "a sign of ignorance."
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11 Statements
“There's too much speaking; it's going in all directions. It's a serious situation. It's the lives of women, men, the lives of civilians at stake. When we want to be serious, we don't say each day the opposite of what we said the day before.
“The president of the United States is a man who recognizes leverage. If the Iranians want to exact a certain amount of pain, the United States has the ability to exact much, much greater pain. I hope Iran makes the right response.
“His statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization shocks the conscience and requires a decisive congressional response. The House must vote to end this reckless war of choice in the Middle East.
“The whole world has been impacted, unfortunately, because Iran is violating every law known by striking commercial vessels in the Straits of Hormuz. This is a regime that doesn't believe in laws and rules. It's a state sponsor of terrorism, so it is not surprising that they're now conducting terrorist operations against commercial vessels.
“I am hoping and praying that President Trump, that this really is bluster. I do not want to see us start blowing up civilian infrastructure.
“Each Republican who refuses to join us in voting against this wanton war of choice owns every consequence of whatever the hell this is. An extremely sick person is in charge of the United States.
“An unhinged lunatic must be removed from office. He has threatened to commit genocide against 90 million people.
“The President of the United States just threatened to slaughter 100 million people. This is not normal. This is not acceptable. The 25th Amendment exists for moments exactly like this.
“After bombing a school and massacring young girls, the war criminal in the White House is threatening genocide. It's time to invoke the 25th Amendment. This maniac should be removed from office.
“The threat to destroy an entire civilization is truly unacceptable. Any attack on civilian infrastructure violates international law. I urge Americans and all people of good will to contact their political leaders and congressional representatives to demand they reject war and work for peace.