Trump Placed Nigeria on Watchlist After Watching Fox News – Report

Trump Places Nigeria on Religious Watchlist Following Fox News Segment

In a dramatic turn of events, United States President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” after reportedly watching a Fox News segment that alleged widespread targeted killings of Christians in the West African nation.

According to a CNN report, Trump was aboard Air Force One en route to Florida when he viewed the broadcast. The segment highlighted what it described as a surge in violence against Christians, which Trump attributed to radical Islamist groups.

Reacting swiftly, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to declare that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” claiming that “thousands of Christians are being killed.” He then announced, “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’,” signaling a formal designation that could carry diplomatic and economic consequences.

Upon landing in West Palm Beach, Trump reportedly intensified his focus on the issue throughout the weekend. He instructed his Secretary of Defence to “prepare for possible action,” warning that U.S. troops might be deployed to Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to protect Christian communities. This statement raised alarms within diplomatic circles and prompted immediate internal discussions within the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), headquartered in Germany. Personnel were recalled to strategize potential responses, although sources cited by CNN suggested that the move reflected Trump’s frustration with policy decisions being shaped through social media rather than structured planning.

A White House official told CNN that Trump had been monitoring the situation in Nigeria prior to the Fox News segment and had already contemplated making a public statement. His posts on Truth Social were reportedly intended to gauge Nigeria’s reaction and possibly influence international discourse.

The Nigerian government, however, has consistently rejected claims of a “Christian genocide.” Officials have described such allegations as inaccurate and misleading, emphasizing that religious violence in Nigeria is often complex and not solely targeted at Christians.

In response to Trump’s designation, the Nigerian government issued a statement condemning the move and reaffirming its commitment to religious freedom and national unity.

This episode underscores the growing influence of media narratives on international policy decisions and highlights the delicate balance between advocacy for human rights and the sovereignty of nations.

It also raises questions about the role of social media in shaping foreign policy, especially when such declarations carry the weight of military implications.