Trump on Imran Khan: ‘he stayed in solitude for a week’ post Soleimani’s death

HOUSTON: In a startling claim that has surfaced on Pakistani social media a few days after a 2024 campaign rally in Houston, Texas, former US President Donald Trump has stated that Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressed elation over the death of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, calling it “the single biggest thing I can remember happening in my life.”

Trump on account of his coversation with Imran Khan, whom he referred to as “the head of Pakistan,” purportedly said, “The biggest moment of my life was when I heard that Soleimani was killed. I left my office, walked to my home, and stayed in solitude for one week.”

This assertion strikes particularly hard as Soleimani met his death on January 3, 2020, in Iraq, and Khan, the very next day, addressed a public gathering in Mianwali, Punjab.

The former US president also shared details of a conversation with Iranian officials after Soleimani’s death. According to Trump, the Iranian authorities contacted the US and stated, “We have no choice but to retaliate to maintain our self-respect. We are going to launch 18 missiles at a certain (US) military base. Don’t worry; none will hit the base.”

SIMILAR CLAIM

These claims have also surfaced in the book “I can Fix It Alone – Donald Trump’s Catastrophic Final Year” by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Phil Rucker and Carol Leonnig.

The book, which delves into Trump’s final year in office, includes an interview at his Mar-a-Lago estate where he spoke highly of Soleimani’s assassination and his conversation with Khan.

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Rucker and Leonnig’s work paints a picture of Trump’s presidency as one marked by drama and indiscretion, providing a glimpse into the chaotic nature of his administration, characterised by its impact on key figures, including military leaders, senior advisors, and Trump’s own family.