WATCH: 'Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?' Trump says when Japanese reporter asks why allies didn't know about Iran plan
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"We didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan?" the president responded while sitting next to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
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By — Dan Cooney Dan Cooney Leave your feedback Share Copy URL Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: 'Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?' Trump says when Japanese reporter asks why allies didn't know about Iran plan World Mar 19, 2026 5:40 PM EDT President Donald Trump referenced the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during an Oval Office meeting with Japan's prime minister on Thursday. Watch the clip in the video player above. A reporter asked Trump why he did not inform U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, like Japan, before attacking Iran in late February. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. "We didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan?" the president responded while sitting next to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. "Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor? Right?" READ MORE: Trump faces his most difficult Iran war decision: Will he deploy U.S. troops to seize uranium? The Japanese bombing of the U.S. Naval station in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killed 2,390 U.S. military personnel and civilians on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack launched the U.S. into World War II. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Dan Cooney Dan Cooney Dan Cooney is the PBS NewsHour's Social Media Producer/Coordinator. @IAmDanCooney --> Support Provided By: Learn more Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Wednesday, Mar 18
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