President Donald Trump faced humiliation during a live speech in North Dakota after Fox News interrupted its broadcast with a breaking news alert regarding his claims about the Panama Canal. The incident occurred as Trump addressed attendees at the dedication of the Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, where he made several bold assertions about the canal's control and pricing.
Trump's Claims About the Panama Canal
Trump stated that China is attempting to take over the Panama Canal, following price increases imposed by Panama. He said, "We had the Panama Canal, so we gave it away. The first thing they did? Do you know what they did? They raised the prices to the ships by four times, and they didn't lose one ship. And then they raised it again, twice, and they didn't lose one ship." He added, "All they did is make tremendous amounts of money for years and years. How stupid is that?"
He further declared, "And now China is trying to take over the Panama Canal, and we're not gonna let that happen, okay?" However, the most controversial moment came when Trump claimed to have spoken with Theodore Roosevelt, who died in 1919, decades before Trump was born.
Fox News Interrupts Broadcast
Fox News halted its coverage to issue a breaking alert, though the network did not air the full context of Trump's remarks. Viewers quickly took to social media to express their shock, with many calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked. One viewer wrote, "'I even had a conversation with Theodore Roosevelt.' And how exactly does this not have people screaming '25th Amendment'?" Another commented, "They had an AI generated Teddy Roosevelt and Trump spoke with 'him'." A third added, "This is a sick, sick man. He lies and lies and lies and thinks he is God. He had a conversation with Theodore Roosevelt he says."
Impact and Reactions
The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning Trump's mental fitness. The 25th Amendment outlines presidential succession in case of incapacity, and the remarks have fueled debate about his ability to lead. The Panama Canal situation remains a contentious issue, with the U.S. having transferred control to Panama in 1999. Trump's claims about China's involvement have not been substantiated, and the price increases he cited were not independently verified.
