Trump says N. Korea's Kim has 'pretty large' nuke capacity, will be 'fine' as long as he's 'around'

During a White House event attended by prominent technology executives, US President Donald Trump asserted on Tuesday that Iran would eventually abandon its nuclear ambitions, although he did not specify when. Trump attributed Iran's apparent lack of progress to their poor performance and claimed that more oil had flowed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two days than at any other time in history. He reiterated that halting Iran's nuclear development remained the primary goal of the ongoing military campaign.

When asked by a reporter why North Korea was permitted to acquire nuclear weapons while Iran was targeted, Trump attributed the disparity to his predecessors' failure to prevent Pyongyang's nuclear program. He then revealed that Kim Jong Un was a friend of his and the only individual the North Korean leader liked. Trump stated that North Korea possessed a substantial nuclear capability, though not as advanced as the United States.

At the event, Trump also addressed an investigation near RAF Fairford, a British airbase utilized by US forces. He criticized the decision to grant bail to five arrested individuals, describing them as "serious people... and they should not have done that." British counterterrorism police reported finding no improvised explosive devices during the probe but discovered petrol in the suspects' vehicles. No link to Iran was established, and Iran denied involvement.

The president's remarks were made as part of a discussion on artificial intelligence, which Trump advocated for renaming "superintelligence," or SI. When questioned about why North Korea had been allowed to develop nuclear weapons while Iran faced consequences, Trump responded that a different president could have prevented the North Korean program. He subsequently discussed his personal connection with Kim Jong Un, describing him as a friend and the only person in the world that the North Korean leader liked.

Trump also emphasized the importance of American companies having the ability to construct data centers domestically rather than relocating projects abroad, citing potential economic benefits. He claimed that Chinese leaders would eagerly accept American investments that did not materialize in the United States, suggesting that China would profit from such investments.

The White House noted that the two countries had agreed to use the term "superintelligence" and establish a dialogue on its risks and benefits following Xi's recent visit. Elon Musk, speaking about AI's potential impact on workers, suggested that the most likely outcome would be an age of abundance characterized by universal high income.

However, some executives expressed concerns about the risks associated with AI, emphasizing the need for internal controls, audits, and reviews by company boards. Trump assured that companies had a strong incentive to ensure their products were safe, as their businesses were at stake if something went wrong.