SECONDNEXUS
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In the wake of Donald Trump's summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12th, Trump famously proclaimed on Twitter that North Korea was "no longer" a threat to the United States and urged us all to "sleep well tonight."
Well, since then, multiple reports have emerged that North Korea is not, in fact, denuclearizing, rather Kim is ramping up his weapons program.
Satellite images show North Korea rapidly upgrading nuclear research facility despite denuclearization pledge… https://t.co/C369RH25n5— The Hill (@The Hill) 1530385024.0
Not surprisingly, the President has tried to swat such reports away, including in an early morning tweet today:
Many good conversations with North Korea-it is going well! In the meantime, no Rocket Launches or Nuclear Testing i… https://t.co/FliQhVIZNO— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1530616578.0
But what might be more surprising is that even Fox News reported that U.S. intelligence officials believe North Korea has actually upped its production of enriched uranium and is orchestrating weapon production at secret sites.
"There is absolutely unequivocal evidence that they are trying to deceive the U.S.,” one of the sources said. The @FoxNews Twitter account even declared:
U.S. intelligence officials believe North Korea has been deceiving the U.S. when it comes to their nuclear program.
Which Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) reminded us with this tweet earlier today:
Dear @realDonaldTrump: You stated the recent reports about North Korea deceiving you were coming "only" from "the O… https://t.co/N3MmWWNaqD— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1530626929.0
Lieu wasn't the only one reminding Trump that yes, even Fox News was reporting this as fact:
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/RY9vx8JYX4— Sharon States (@Sharon States) 1530652039.0
@realDonaldTrump Oh, brother. More lies from the #LiarInChief. Or is @FOXNews the "Opposition Party" now, too? https://t.co/sdIDPd8j1s— Cynthia Reed (@Cynthia Reed) 1530648220.0
People agreed with Lieu, it was indeed surprising to see Fox News reporting facts:
@tedlieu @realDonaldTrump @FoxNews Oops, State TV is allowing truth! 😂🤣— Kathi updike (@Kathi updike) 1530628597.0
@tedlieu @Trumpgot2go @realDonaldTrump @FoxNews Let's see if now FOX news becomes FAKE news too.— Elle Vinci☯️ (@Elle Vinci☯️) 1530637836.0
If this is true, it comes at a heavy cost. In a controversial move, Trump agreed to end the United States' joint military exercises with South Korea. The exercises have long been a source of North Korean animus toward the two countries during previous administrations as well as a reassurance to South Korean allies.
This doesn't come as a surprise to many. While North Korea did seem to pledge eventual denuclearization, the agreement signed did not specify plans for inspections or other logical steps to verify that North Korea would indeed keep its word.
@FoxNews @real_farmacist @GillianHTurner I want to know who ACTUALLY believed that NK would denuclearize? Seriously! #trumpisachump— Christine (@Christine) 1530498638.0
@FoxNews @GillianHTurner Oh my goodness Fox news is so slow. The ought to rename themselves turtle news— RondaRL (@RondaRL) 1530485202.0
@FoxNews @GillianHTurner All we got: https://t.co/bGqGl7CUaJ— 🌊Tronald Dump🌊 (@🌊Tronald Dump🌊) 1530511947.0
@FoxNews @GillianHTurner In other news, air contains oxygen. More at 7— Kristopher Boyd (@Kristopher Boyd) 1530485609.0
@GR8FL @FoxNews @GillianHTurner https://t.co/bL3AH4GOKw— Quite the Character🌊 (@Quite the Character🌊) 1530627390.0
@FoxNews @real_farmacist @GillianHTurner The only surprise is that FOX actuallyreported it.— LisaLisa 👀 (@LisaLisa 👀) 1530497993.0
Trump has since tweeted about Iran, Harley-Davidson, and the NSA. Somehow, he hasn't had the chance to get back to Congressman Lieu.
It's ironic that Trump touts he prevented us from war with North Korea, especially after his antagonistic tweets toward Kim Jong-un in the past as well as threats of "fire and fury" made war with North Korea seem almost inevitable.
Trump has consistently said the agreement was substantive, but Americans don't seem to have much faith.
@realDonaldTrump Psst. You’re being duped. Your rocket buddy isn’t going to denuclearize.— Liddle’ Jamie (@Liddle’ Jamie) 1530616671.0
@realDonaldTrump Congratulations on not entering the war that you almost started with your Twitter account.— Jemaine Clement (@Jemaine Clement) 1530619517.0
@realDonaldTrump This is the best one of his loony tweets today. Despite verified reports that NK is continuing the… https://t.co/0gxb0DJ0mI— Charles Johnson (@Charles Johnson) 1530643526.0
@realDonaldTrump N Korea is continuing to manufacture nuclear weapons & missiles even after your fake… https://t.co/3tqiXLIEza— Freedom Forever 🇺🇸 (@Freedom Forever 🇺🇸) 1530642870.0
A new spin on the legitimacy of the agreement is sure to come. It's hard to say whether or not, even when faced with facts, Trump will concede that the agreement needs to be strengthened beyond the assurance of smiles and handshakes.