Trump Attacks Chuck Todd Over NK Analysis: ‘We Haven’t Given Up Anything’

on April 18, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - APRIL 18: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a joint news conference held with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (not pictured) at Mar-a-Lago resort on April 18, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Fl... WEST PALM BEACH, FL - APRIL 18: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a joint news conference held with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (not pictured) at Mar-a-Lago resort on April 18, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The two leaders are meeting for a multi-day working meeting where they are discussing world events. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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President Donald Trump on Sunday attacked NBC’s Chuck Todd over Todd’s analysis of the planned summit between Trump and North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un.

Trump is incorrect on an important point: North Korea has not “agreed to denuclearization.” 

Rather, Kim said Saturday that “under the proven condition of complete nuclear weapons, we no longer need any nuclear tests, mid-range and intercontinental ballistic rocket tests, and that the nuclear test site in northern area has also completed its mission,” according to CNN, which cited North Korea’s state-run news agency.

As the Associated Press reported Sunday, referring to Kim’s ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities, “[t]he North’s latest announcement stopped well short of suggesting it has any intention of giving [them] up.”

Trump appeared to be referring to Todd’s analysis on the “Today” show Sunday morning.

“He seems to be giving very little but making it seem like he’s giving a lot, and he’s giving off a tone of cooperation,” Todd said, referring to the North Korean leader.

“Look, the tone in itself, obviously, is a positive development,” he continued. “And as a diplomatic overture, the U.S. would look terrible if they didn’t accept that kind of overture and at least continue the conversation.”

“But, I have to tell you,” Todd said, “there is a lot of people asking, there’s not many preconditions the United States is asking for. So far in this potential summit, North Koreans have gotten a lot out of it. What has the United States gotten yet? We don’t have a release of any of those Americans that they’ve held captive. We don’t have a pledge of denuclearization as the ultimate goal. There’s a lot of things they are not promising that is raising some red flags.”

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