During a recent press interaction at the White House, former President Donald Trump made headlines with an unusual comment about “violent fish” when the conversation turned to Illinois. His remarks left journalists and social media users puzzled, raising questions about his mental state.
Trump specifically mentioned the Asian carp, saying:
"Did you ever hear of it, China Carp? We have a very pretty violent fish that… comes from China. They jump out—they jump into boats and they jump all over the place. They have a lot of energy."
The comments quickly went viral, prompting a mix of reactions online. Many expressed concern:
“He needs to go back to bed—where is his nurse at?”
“His brain is even more mush than usual.”
“I think there’s something seriously wrong with this guy or he’s just STUPID.”
“Great… the National Guard will be patrolling Lake Michigan with fishing poles soon.”
However, others defended the statement, pointing out a legitimate environmental concern. User Susa E Jordan highlighted:
"Actually, there are invasive carp species in the U.S., and they can knock you right out of the boat. Bighead, black, grass, and silver carp were imported in the 1970s to control algal blooms, but they’ve become a serious threat."
Trump’s administration had previously emphasized protecting the Great Lakes. In a May statement, he noted that Asian carp, which can exceed 100 pounds, compete aggressively with native species for food and habitat, posing a significant threat to fish populations like walleye, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. These invasive fish could impact fishing, boating, recreation, and tourism, which generate billions in revenue and support tens of thousands of jobs.
Whether one sees his comments as bizarre or a genuine environmental warning, the conversation has certainly sparked debate on social media about invasive species management in the U.S.
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