As we’ve been reporting, President-elect Donald Trump held a lengthy news conference from Mar-a-Lago Tuesday in which he discussed numerous topics, including the Gulf of Mexico, Canada, the Panama Canal, a huge new tech investment, and more.
He also warned Hamas that they would face severe consequences unless they released all the hostages prior to his taking office. He did not detail what steps he might take should they fail to do so.
He has made similar pronouncements in the past, but now January 20 is getting closer and closer:
President-elect Donald Trump starkly warned Hamas to release the remaining hostages before Inauguration Day or else “all hell will break out,” without elaborating on a specific response.
Hamas is currently believed to have 101 hostages, including seven Americans, at least three of whom are thought to be dead, and Trump has long threatened repercussions for the terror group if it fails to release them.
“It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” Trump, 78, warned during a press conference in Mar-a-Lago Tuesday.
“All hell will break out. I don’t have to say anymore, but that’s what it is.”
Watch:
TRUMP: “If those hostages aren’t back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East. And it will not be good for Hamas. They should’ve given them back a long time ago. They should’ve never taken them. There should’ve never been an attack on Oct 7th.” pic.twitter.com/WZ1cAXiGim
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 7, 2025
Related: Trump: Let’s Rename the Gulf of Mexico
WATCH: Donald Trump Shuts Down Reporter Who Got Fauxfended Over His Jimmy Carter/Panama Canal Criticisms
Trump and his choice for Middle East envoy intimated that some headway was being made behind the scenes:
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s longtime friend and pick for special envoy to the Middle East, announced during the press conference that some progress has been made to release the remaining hostages.
“I believe we’ve been on the verge of it. I don’t want to discuss sort of what’s delayed it,” Witkoff told reporters about the deliberations over the hostages.
Witkoff is poised to join negotiations over a hostage deal in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday. Trump hailed his special envoy to the Middle East pick as a “great negotiator” and repeated the vague threats against Hamas.
“I don’t want to hurt the negotiation. If the deal isn’t done before I take office, which will be two weeks, all hell will break out in the Middle East,” Trump ominously reiterated.
Trump’s pick for U.N. Ambassador, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), signaled her support for remaining hostages:
Day 458.
It has been 458 days since Hamas terrorists abducted innocent civilians during the barbaric October 7th attack in Israel. There are 100 still being held hostage in Gaza including SEVEN Americans. We MUST bring them home now.
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) January 7, 2025
It’s unclear what Trump would do once he gets into office if Hamas continues their barbaric refusal to release their captives. One can assume, however, that he will take a much tougher stand against the terrorist group than the feckless Biden administration has.
More–> Tragedy: IDF Confirms American Omer Maxim Neutra Killed During Oct. 7 Hamas Massacre
Report on Negotiations With Hamas Reveals How Clueless Biden Is, and Now Hamas Has More Threats, Demands
I think a good negotiating tactic might be, “Release them now, or we kill you all.” That may not be the most practical idea, but one can dream.
