Donald Trump’s attempt to explain the school bombing took such a strange turn that a reporter had to stop him mid-sentence

A reporter directly challenged President Trump at a press conference over his claims about a school bombing in Iran, pointing out that his statements contradicted his own government’s findings. It was an unusual moment that drew significant attention.

The incident started after the U.S. and Israel launched a bombing campaign in Iran, which Trump had warned could last at least a month. One of the first targets hit was a girls’ elementary school in Minab, a city in southern Iran. At least 175 people were killed, mostly young girls.

U.S. investigators concluded that a U.S.-fired missile most likely struck the school. According to Mediaite, reports indicated a Tomahawk missile hit the building, probably launched by the U.S. military. Neither Iran nor Israel is known to possess Tomahawk missiles.

Trump’s comments put him at odds with his own government’s findings on the school strike

At a press conference, a reporter asked Trump if the U.S. would “accept any responsibility” for the bombing. Trump said he hadn’t “seen it” and suggested other countries, including Iran, might also have Tomahawks, calling them “very generic.” He said the incident was “being investigated right now.” 

This press conference was not the first time Trump has raised eyebrows with his public remarks, as his slurred and confused attempts at speech have drawn criticism before. Another reporter then pushed back directly, saying, “Mr. President you just suggested that Iran somehow got its hands on a tomahawk and bombed its own elementary school on the first day of the war. But you’re the only person in your government saying this.” 

The reporter also noted that Trump’s own defense secretary would not make such a claim when asked just days earlier. “Why are you the only person saying this?” the reporter pressed. Trump responded by saying, “Because I just don’t know enough about it. I think it’s something that I was told is under investigation.”

Trump repeated his claim that “Tomahawks are used by others, as you know. Numerous other nations have Tomahawks. They buy them from us.” However, he did add, “I will certainly, whatever the report shows, I’m willing to live with that report.” 

Trump’s pattern of making bold international threats is not new either, as seen in his recent threatening remarks directed at Spain. His comments stood in clear contrast to what U.S. investigators had already found, making the exchange one of the more striking moments of the press conference.