Trump’s Riyadh Address on Islamist Extremism: “Drive them out”
“A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out.”
In Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip as president, President Trump delivered a speech on Islamic extremism and the need for the world to unite against and eradicate it. Trump urged the Muslim-majority countries to “take the lead in combating radicalization” and to expel Islamist extremists from their places of worship, communities, holy lands, and the planet.
Some highlights from the full text of President Trump’s speech.
“I stand before you as a representative of the American People, to deliver a message of friendship and hope. That is why I chose to make my first foreign visit a trip to the heart of the Muslim world, to the nation that serves as custodian of the two holiest sites in the Islamic Faith.”
“Our vision is one of peace, security, and prosperity—in this region, and in the world.
Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.”
“Later today, we will make history again with the opening of a new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology – located right here, in this central part of the Islamic World.
This groundbreaking new center represents a clear declaration that Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combatting [sic] radicalization, and I want to express our gratitude to King Salman for this strong demonstration of leadership.”
“Some estimates hold that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim.
We now face a humanitarian and security disaster in this region that is spreading across the planet. It is a tragedy of epic proportions. No description of the suffering and depravity can begin to capture its full measure.
The true toll of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams.
The Middle East is rich with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and massive amounts of historic treasures. It should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity.
This region should not be a place from which refugees flee, but to which newcomers flock.”
“If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killing—then not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God.
This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.
This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.
This is a battle between Good and Evil.”
“America is prepared to stand with you – in pursuit of shared interests and common security.
But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children.
It is a choice between two futures – and it is a choice America CANNOT make for you.
A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out.
DRIVE THEM OUT of your places of worship.
DRIVE THEM OUT of your communities.
DRIVE THEM OUT of your holy land, and
DRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.” [emphasis in original]
“Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden, if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion.
The first task in this joint effort is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil. Every country in the region has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil.”
“That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.
Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory – piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and YOUR SOUL WILL BE CONDEMNED.” [emphasis in original]
“Starving terrorists of their territory, their funding, and the false allure of their craven ideology, will be the basis for defeating them.
But no discussion of stamping out this threat would be complete without mentioning the government that gives terrorists all three—safe harbor, financial backing, and the social standing needed for recruitment. It is a regime that is responsible for so much instability in the region. I am speaking of course of Iran.”
Watch the entire speech:
Twitter, of course, is abuzz with reactions.
Trump's speech was part of a broader project of normalizing relations with Saudi, isolating Iran, and marginalizing Palestinians. DANGEROUS.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 21, 2017
The reality is the Saudis likely ARE thrilled with Trump. He's transactional, doesn't care about human rights, and bolsters them vs Iran.
— Joy-Ann Pro-Democracy & Masks Reid ? (@JoyAnnReid) May 21, 2017
Funny that Trump is talking tolerance & peace when he has brought neither of which to our own nation.#TrumpinSaudi
— Simar (@sahluwal) May 21, 2017
Unnamed sources are reporting that Trump's speech wasn't as great as you saw for yourself.#TrumpinSaudi
— Lisa (@Rockprincess818) May 21, 2017
What an Amazing Speech.. Trump with Roaring Ovation from over 50 Muslim Leaders in Saudi Arabia. #RiyadhSummit #TrumpinSaudi
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) May 21, 2017
DRIVE THEM OUT!#TrumpInSaudi #EndRadicalIslam pic.twitter.com/mPlLFrBEzx
— The Columbia Bugle ?? (@ColumbiaBugle) May 21, 2017
I don't believe #Trump meant 1 word he said durin his #speech 2 #Muslim leadershttps://t.co/Uy3o5EtDeq#TrumpinSaudi #resist #staywoke pic.twitter.com/drUWo9aVUd
— ResistandStayWoke (@ResistStayWoke) May 21, 2017
Although Obama shamelessly kowtowed to the Muslim world they had only contempt for him–with @realDonaldTrump it's the exact opposite
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) May 21, 2017
And Trump supporters so blind he talking peace over there but can't get it done in the United States. #TrumpinSaudi
— Madison L. Porter (@UConnBballRocks) May 21, 2017
This speech was an abomination.
Especially considering your previous tweet on the subject.#SundayMorning#TrumpinSaudi#MiskTweeps pic.twitter.com/qfbOwfF4kT— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) May 21, 2017
Trump: "Obama's wrong- It's Radical Islamic Terrorism and we should ALWAYS call it that. . ."#TrumpInSaudi
". . .but not to their faces."
— Luna Liddell (@crows_and_tea) May 21, 2017
Let me get this straight…People who hate "Islamophobia" are mad that Donald Trump did not say Radical Islamic Terrorism now? #TrumpinSaudi
— She Calls Me Daddy Too (@YourLocalJacob) May 21, 2017
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Comments
‘Can’t get peace at home’ say the people committing all of the violence …
Preach!, Brother. The Mid East policy of the former potus was “Anything to appease Islam.” Trump has correctly reset the focus of the world to “Kill the ISIS bastards and win the war.”
I’ve little interest in the gurgling of turds who swim in the tweeter sewer, but this speech is all balls, and I must commend Trump; from the heart of Wahabi Central, he stuck his thumb in the eye of the islamo-nazis in Iran.
A bit like Reagan’s “evil empire” remarks about the Soviets.
Trump, balls of steel…
This was the speech beleaguered Muslim Liberals had hoped Obama would give. This is the President that the left said Obama would be.
This US President showed up fully prepared, with treaties negotiated and in hand, and talked to 50 leaders of Muslim countries in clear, simple, respectful, candid terms, brimming with that very American brand of optimism, addressing the difficult issues, including the elephant in the room, religion.
And he did it to thunderous applause, from both the leaders present, and that rather large basket of Deplorables who avidly tuned in.
Meanwhile, today’s Democrat-associated San Diego Union-Tribune ran a cartoon characterizing DJT as an infant that belongs in a playpen.
“The stone the builders had rejected has become the corner stone, and it is wonderful in our eyes.”
Amen!
Absolutely stunning. And about time.
The media ignores its significance and its simple truth, too busy with their grade school playground snit fits. I despise them more & more each day. Pretty soon, I’ll have heap big pile of despising.
Next: drive extremists out of our universities.
Make that a double Amen! Shouted!
I would say that VP Pence’s speech today at Notre Dame took at least one step toward that goal.
http://www.weaselzippers.us/339862-mike-pence-delivers-great-commencement-address-on-free-speech-most-cheer-some-walk-out/
I am pleased he made this strong speech, an that the leaders had thunderous applause for him.
Now, to monitor them to be sure they use what we have provided as they promised, rather than re-route it to funding terrorism, as they have in the past……
Remember, to lie to “infidels” is acceptable, (aka Taqiyya), according to the Koran.
Here’s The Hill’s headline take:
“Trump avoids term ‘radical Islamic terrorism’ during speech”
The article never gives the actual money quote(s) from his speech, just tries to imply he’s a chickenshit for not using the same three words he used in his campaign speeches.
There’s no low to which they won’t stoop. Anything, ANYTHING, to avoid accurate reporting or mentioning something that might be favorable toward Trump.
They know we know, yet they do it anyway. Definition of insanity.
I’m catching up on all of the news but I did see some tweets with some “WH official” saying that Trump did not follow the exact script that was handed out to the press beforehand because he was “exhausted”. Really? Those mysterious “officials” again.
http://twitchy.com/jacobb-38/2017/05/21/white-house-calling-trump-exhausted-sparks-low-energy-and-stamina-jabs-from-msm/
And some chattering fools on the Sunday shows were upset that Trump didn’t demand any human rights changes, but only concentrated on signing some big arms deals that will help the US economy and giving a speech about terrorism.
If I remember correctly, Trump told us that he would work on getting the economy back running as well as getting rid of ISIS. I don’t think he spent a lot of time mentioning that we needed to get other nations to improve their record on human rights.
Why do the Ds get upset about another country trying to meddle in our elections and what we do, but have no qualms with the US trying to impact elections of other nations?
What’s this “drive them out” hooey?
You drive them out, they’ll just do their deviltry elsewhere.
The solution is to chop their heads off. It’s Saudi Arabia; they’ll do it, no problem.
I think the president addresses this point:
“DRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.”
When dealing with a barbaric medieval death-cult, subtlety and understatement are probably not the keys to success.
We should say what we mean, and—more importantly—very obviously mean what we say.
Im pretty sure The Donald meant drive them out of this earth! 🙂
Uh, did I imagine the strategy in Mosul? Surround, cut off escape, exterminate.
Anonymous While House source = I made it up
Trump still doesn’t get it. The problem isn’t Iran, the problem is Islam. If we wiped Iran off the face of the earth Islam would still be the problem (and ISIS would thank us for defeating the Shia heretics). Saudi banks are major hubs for money laundering and terror finance, and US mosques and most Islamic charities worldwide are major money centers and launderers for Islamic terror organizations. Islam is busy conquering the remainder of Africa. I expect within 20 years the purges, pogroms, and mass rapes typical of Islamic conquest will burn across Europe. Tom Kratman’s novel will no longer be science fiction.
I understand when people say the problem is Islam, but there are reasons that both Trump and Bush can’t say that, even if its what they believe.
First, after 9/11, there were a few muslim countries that went all-in for USA right away and gave us everything we asked for. Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, etc. If we wanted to trash Islam and reject their help, that would have been the time. Obviously we shouldn’t and didn’t, and now we have muslim allies in the war on terror that have been with us for over a decade. Now’s not the time to go trash their religion in our official speeches.
Second, most people don’t know that most victims of Islamic terrorism are muslims themselves, as Trump mentioned in his speech. The idea that the “man on the street” is pro-Islamic terrorist isn’t as accurate as it was back in the early 2000s when everyone was talking about the clash of civilizations. It turns out people everywhere actually don’t like being used as human shields or blown up themselves, and they’ve also seen that the US is actually pretty good at finding and killing terrorists.
Now if you want to argue that believing the US can coexist with Islam in the long term as equal partners is a fool’s errand, well, that’s a different discussion. But in terms of putting a stake through the black heart of our current crop of Islamic “freedom fighters”, yeah, this is how we do it.