- President Donald Trump cracked a Pearl Harbor joke during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Thursday.
- The comment arose when a Japanese journalist questioned why key allies, including Japan, were not informed about a US-Israeli air campaign against Iran.
- Trump initially defended the lack of prior notification by stating the US “wanted surprise” in the military operation.
- He then asked, “Who knows better about surprise than Japan?” before directly questioning Prime Minister Takaichi, “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, ok?”
- The remark caused a brief silence in the Oval Office, with Trump later reiterating the importance of surprise in military actions.
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