rights
"Suffering from dementia": Trump claims "Islamic Republic of Japan" shot 111 missiles at US ship
By Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation
· July 9, 2026
· 3 min read
Donald Trump is getting mocked online for his statement that the "Islamic Republic of Japan" shot missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier. The comments came earlier this week, on July 8, when he was speaking to members of the press with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Turke
Key takeaway "And a few months ago, we had, I told this story yesterday, we had 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan.
Why this matters
The gaffe by Donald Trump, referring to Japan as the "Islamic Republic of Japan" and claiming it shot missiles at a US ship, has sparked widespread ridicule and concern about his cognitive abilities. This incident is particularly noteworthy given the significant geopolitical implications of such a statement, and the potential consequences of miscommunication in international relations. The fact that Trump appears to have confused Japan with Iran, two countries with distinct histories, cultures, and relationships with the US, raises questions about his grasp of global affairs. This episode may also have implications for the LGBTQ+ community, as it underscores the importance of competent leadership in navigating complex international relationships that can impact human rights and social justice initiatives worldwide. As the US continues to engage with countries on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, the ability of its leaders to communicate accurately and effectively is crucial.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Donald Trump is getting mocked online for his statement that the "Islamic Republic of Japan" shot missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier. The comments came earlier this week, on July 8, when he was speaking to members of the press with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Turke
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .