Trump, who is the oldest person elected president and recently celebrated his 80th birthday, made several errors in his remarks and in answering reporter questions, including messing up the name of a world-famous social media app, confusing leaders of nations and even getting the names of countries he is bombing wrong. While taking questions alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the president told reporters that the \u201cIslamic Republic of Japan<\/a>\u201d had launched 111 missiles <\/a>at a U.S. aircraft. Trump seemingly meant the Islamic Republic of Iran. <\/p>\n But lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, used the gaffe to bash the president, claiming his<\/a> \u201crambling, unhinged, confused performance this morning was an embarrassment to our country on the world stage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cImagine if that was Biden? We\u2019d still be hearing about cognitive decline, fitness for office, and the 25th Amendment weeks later,\u201d one X user noted. <\/p>\n \u201cOnly Trump could turn Iran into the Islamic Republic of Japan. Next he’ll blame Pearl Harbor on Tehran. Legend,\u201d another added. <\/p>\n Later during the presser, Trump asked reporters, \u201cDo you have a question for President Putin?\u201d while seemingly gesturing toward Zelensky. Later, Trump tried to recover by claiming he meant he would call Putin to ask the questions for them.<\/p>\n The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC, pointed out Trump\u2019s mistakes and asserted<\/a>: \u201cHis brain is mush.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked about the president\u2019s gaffes, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, \u201cPresident Trump delivered a marathon, high-energy performance at the NATO summit, holding four separate press availabilities plus a solo press conference and taking unscripted questions from reporters on a wide range of topics.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe President commanded every room, gave our allies some much-needed tough love, and left the summit with a stronger NATO and more united free world,\u201d Leavitt added. <\/p>\n But others mocked Trump for making the mistake. <\/p>\n Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a prominent Trump foe, joked on X<\/a>: \u201cDon Jr. frantically placing bets on the US responding majorly to the Islamic Republic of Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n Pennsylvania state lawmaker Malcom Kenyatta wrote<\/a>, \u201cBig, if true.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe Walsh, a former Republican lawmaker, called for invoking the 25th Amendment<\/a>, which can forcibly transfer presidential powers to the vice president if the president is incapacitated.<\/p>\n Some pointed out the hypocrisy of Trump\u2019s constant bashing of former President Joe Biden for making gaffes or physical missteps while he was in office. Former congressman Adam Kinzinger, also an outspoken Trump critic, wrote<\/a>: \u201cBUT Biden once didn\u2019t know where the exit was!<\/p>\n \u201cWould be great if our MSM held him accountable. If this was Biden constantly flubbing, it would be on every front page,\u201d an X user stated. <\/p>\n \u201cHe used to make fun of Biden and look at him now. That\u2019s karma for you,\u201d another added. <\/p>\n Trump often invokes Biden\u2019s name during press conferences or rallies, claiming his predecessor was unfit to serve as president because he lacked mental acuity. Trump famously bestowed the nickname \u201cSleepy Joe\u201d on Biden, who was the oldest person to serve as president. <\/p>\n CNN reporter Aaron Blake pointed out<\/a> that in 2018, Trump tweeted<\/a> reminding people that former President Barack Obama accidentally said he visited \u201c57 states\u201d<\/a> instead of \u201c51 states\u201d<\/p>\n![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/nato\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2284635044...jpeg\")
President Donald Trump appeared to mix up Japan and Iran while talking to reporters at the NATO summit. It was one of several gaffes he had on Wednesday – and the internet took notice (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n![\"At](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/nato\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783535470_584_download.-2..jpeg\")
At one point, President Trump asked reporters if they had questions for \u2018President Putin\u2019 but seemingly made a gesture toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (AP)<\/p>\n