Donald Trump sparks criticism over his bizarre statement about Iran’s Supreme Leader’s death

Donald Trump is facing backlash for a controversial remark he made about the conflict in the Middle East and the death of Iran's Supreme Leader.

For those who aren't up to date, it's currently day five of fighting after the US and Israel issued joint airstrikes on Iran, killing the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Since then, Iran has retaliated and attacked assets and allies of the States, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The conflict has quickly escalated, with other countries such as Cyprus and Lebanon being pulled in recently, as the casualties and damage continue to mount on all sides.

The 79-year-old Republican leader's reasoning for striking Iran on Saturday (28 February) was to ensure that the country 'does not obtain a nuclear weapon'.

As per the BBC, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Monday (2 March) that the US knew there was going to be Israeli action, which meant America had to act 'pre-emptively' before predicted Iranian attacks on American forces.

Donald Trump is facing backlash for comments about Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death (Handout / Handout / via Getty)

But now, Trump has admitted that previous assassination attempts against him also played a role in his decision-making.

"I got him before he got me," the US President told ABC News on Sunday night (1 March), not long after he announced that the Iranian Supreme Leader had been killed.

He said: "They tried twice. Well, I got him first."

For context, he was talking about an alleged Iranian plot to kill him during the 2024 presidential campaign.

The publication reports that during the summer of 2024, American intelligence believed the Iranian government was plotting to kill Trump, who was a candidate.

While a senior White House administration official reportedly told The Washington Post: “There are a million reasons to eliminate terrorists like Ayatollah Khamenei. His plots to assassinate President Trump are just one reason.”

The remarks from Trump have caused backlash on social media, with some people arguing that the reason is too personal rather than for the good of the US.

X users penned: "So the country is fighting his personal battle now?" and "Of course it's all about him.."

The Republican leader said: "I got him before he got me" (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

While a third brutally wrote: "Next time we have a chance to hand the most powerful weapons in history to a man suffering from a case of pathological male insecurity... let’s not."

And a fourth agreed: "It is always about him feeling wronged. The whole world must burn because this insecure man baby got his feelers hurt and can’t accept most of the world hate him."

"So once again, people have to die because of his massive ego. He's seriously deranged and dangerous," penned a fifth.

Meanwhile, someone else argued: "The US voted you for their own sake not yours. Making it personal only shows how incompetent you present yourself."

And another person wrote: "So this is a personal revenge and not in the best interest of America? I'm in *shocked emoji*"

Tyla has contacted the White House for comment.