FOX News aired a somewhat inaccurate report.
The report claimed that Islamic hate groups in Nigeria were targeting Christians. In reality, there are Islamic extremist groups killing Christians, but not because they’re Christians.
FOX News
It just so happens that FOX is the in-flight entertainment on DJT’s Air Force One. Trump caught the segment, and was immediately enraged. Shortly after AF1 landed, the president took to Truth Social as an outlet for his anger.
Jihadist Groups in Nigeria?
Where there may be truth to the statement ‘Christians are being killed by Islamic extremists’, its important to note that so are Muslims, and atheists, to an equal quantity.
According to Isa Sunusi, executive director of the group's Nigeria program, "The jihadist groups kill both Muslims and Christians. They demolish mosques and churches. They don't differentiate."
Don't distinguish between religions
The most prominent jihadist group in Nigeria, Boko Haram, began its ‘insurrection’ into Northern Nigeria in 2009, and has been consistently killing anyone it deems connected to secular religion.
"Boko Haram fighters killed politicians, civil servants, teachers, health workers and traditional leaders because of their relationship with secular authority,"
-Amnesty International
Trump catches FOX report
Trump took to Truth Social to let out his anger:
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
He went on to say that he would make Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the Religious Freedoms Act.
Directive to Hegseth
Trump doubled down on his opinion days later, instructing Pete Hegseth to “prepare for possible action,” and threatening that America would come in “Guns a-blazin.”
White House backs trump
Karoline Leavitt made the president’s stance clear to reporters, "If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the United States will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may take action to wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,"
Truthing tantrum
Trump wrapped it all up by submitting an informal threat of war on Truth Social.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians,”
No troops in Nigeria
The United States military does not currently have troops in Nigeria. In 2024, the US government completed the withdrawal of 1,000 troops from neighbouring Niger, ending a long-time presence in the area.
Presidential response
From Nigeria’s perspective, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said, "We are shocked that President Trump is mulling an invasion of our country."