Former U.S. President Donald Trump alleged that 42,000 protesters were killed within a two-week period during a broadcast on NTV [1].
The remarks highlight the former president's continued use of international media platforms to target domestic political opponents and shape public perception. These statements come as political tensions remain high ahead of upcoming elections.
During the broadcast, Trump focused his criticism on President Joe Biden. He used the term "Uykulu Joe" — translating to "Sleepy Joe" — and described the president as "Dengesiz," which means "Unbalanced" [1]. These labels align with rhetorical strategies Trump has used previously to question the mental and physical fitness of the current administration.
Trump also made a specific numerical claim regarding casualties during protests. He said, "İki hafta içinde 42 bin göstericiyi öldürdüler," which translates to "They killed 42,000 protesters in two weeks" [1]. The former president cited the figure of 42,000 [1] while addressing U.S. politics to the Turkish audience.
Beyond the attacks on President Biden, Trump engaged the viewers by asking a poll question intended for voters [1]. The broadcast served as a vehicle for Trump to project a message of success, framing his current standing as winning.
Throughout the segment, the former president maintained a critical tone toward the Biden administration's handling of civil unrest and governance. He said the current leadership is incapable of maintaining stability within the U.S. [1].
“"İki hafta içinde 42 bin göstericiyi öldürdüler"”
The use of a Turkish media outlet to broadcast claims about U.S. internal casualties and the fitness of the president suggests a strategy of internationalizing domestic political grievances. By utilizing non-English platforms, Trump can reach diverse audiences and create narratives that may bypass the immediate scrutiny of U.S.-based fact-checkers, while simultaneously reinforcing his image as a global political figure.
