**Trump’s ‘My Way’ Leaves U.S. Government Officials and White House Sweating**
Donald Trump, President of the United States, delivered a speech at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on the 6th (local time). [EPA]
[Herald Economy’s Jeong Mok-hee] U.S. government aides are scrambling to handle Donald Trump’s explosive comments regarding his sudden announcement of plans for ownership and redevelopment of the Gaza Strip.
Despite efforts from government officials to downplay the remarks, Trump reiterated his desire for ownership of the Gaza Strip, leading the U.S. Secretary of State, the country’s top diplomat, to attempt damage control.
During a local press conference on the 6th (local time) in the Dominican Republic, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said of the war-torn Gaza Strip, “It is not a habitable place,” and that “People must temporarily live elsewhere in order to fix such places,” as reported by the AP.
Rubio’s statement contradicts the stance Trump posted that morning on social media.
In his post, Trump defended his plan, saying, “If this plan had been implemented, Palestinian residents would have already relocated to safer and more beautiful communities within the region, with new, modern housing.”
This aligns with Trump’s remarks made on the 4th, where he proposed owning and redeveloping the Gaza Strip.
At that time, he expressed his hopes for plans that would make residents not want to return, suggesting a ‘permanent relocation.’
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt, during a briefing the previous day, stated, “The President has promised to rebuild the Gaza Strip and temporarily relocate its inhabitants,” but Trump once again confirmed that his intention is ‘permanent relocation.’
Trump further reiterated, “Once the war is over, the U.S. will hand over the Gaza Strip from Israel.”
This is interpreted as implying that Israel essentially owns the Gaza Strip and the U.S. would be transferred ownership.
These comments align with his previous mention of ‘take over and own’ on the 4th.
Secretary Rubio had previously defended this statement, calling it a “generous offer to rebuild and take responsibility for the reconstruction.”
Trump, however, retracted remarks regarding the potential deployment of U.S. troops to the Gaza Strip, which faced criticism even within the Republican Party. Initially, he had not ruled out this possibility but stated this time, “There will be no deployment of U.S. troops.”
Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio is scheduled to tour the Middle East mid-this month, according to internet media outlet Axios, citing sources.
Middle Eastern Arab nations have strongly criticized and opposed Trump’s comments about his plans for the Gaza Strip.