Trump wanted the nuclear codes now debunked

[videohead5]

Last edited Mon Apr 20, 2026, 10:37 PM - Edit history (2)

According to retired CIA analyst Larry Johnson: During an emergency meeting On Saturday Trump tried to “use the nuclear codes” on Iran and he was stopped by General Dan Caine.

According to records no meeting happened as claimed. I still believe Trump needs to be in a mental hospital.

[Irish_Dem]

1. So Trump will find a general who will hand the codes over to him?

This must be what the temper tantrum was about.

I wonder how the general stopped Trump from accessing the codes?

[John1956PA]

2. It sounds as though there occurred a righteous mini-coup. The officers and agents with the sidearms told him, "No."

If that is true, it is a big story.

[pcdb]

52. It's not true. Trump is the commander in chief and could fire anyone that got in his way.

There's also a link down-thread debunking this ridiculous story.

[Irish_Dem]

79. EXACTLY. This is the most important story of the year.

The US military disobeyed a direct order from the Commander in Chief.

This was organized and not just one general who decided to do it.

One general does not make this decision unless it has been discussed and agreed upon in advance by the top generals. US military operate in packs and groups. They rarely go rogue.

[2naSalit]

8. Could that be why...

They kept him out of the sitcom?

[RandySF]

15. Use a nuke during a search and rescue?

I’m not saying Trump eventually push the button. Most likely scenario, I think, would be drop it where the uranium is buried.

[2naSalit]

20. Timing...

On my part seems off so I take your point. I wonder how many times he's tried to do this, though... his being prone to temper tantrums and all.

[RandySF]

22. I never thought I would say this in my lifetime

but I think it's the most likely ending to it.

[2naSalit]

25. I lived through...

The Cuban missile crisis, in Key West. This feels kind of like that.

[wnylib]

53. My brother was on a destroyer at the blockade.

[COL Mustard]

34. I hope you meant "Sit Room"

Although the idea of a National sitcom is pretty amusing, only if I laugh not to cry!

[2naSalit]

36. Yeah...

I thought about it and decided not to sound like I knew much. I could see something like that happening where the adults in the 'room' have to remove him because he's out of line. Never can tell these days.

[Irish_Dem]

80. My guess YES. This is exactly why they kept him out of the room.

There was a very dicy dangerous situation for some US Air Force pilots.
Top brass needed their wits about them to make good decisions.

Then they have a mentally ill POTUS screaming about dropping nukes when they are
trying to save two pilots. I also think Trump got physical, it was more than just a temper
tantrum.

THEY HAD HIM REMOVED FROM THE ROOM.

Please note that this had to be done in coordination with the secret service.

[chouchou]

3. Again and Again. This Doofus is probably going to kill us all.

There's been many movies that have been made, regarding what's left after World Destruction.
Quite frankly, I don't want to be a part of it.

[PCIntern]

35. "The living will envy the dead."

[chouchou]

40. Ah Yes....Ve will bury you.

Nikita Khrushchev (If I remember correctly)

[AZ8theist]

75. You have.

[EarthFirst]

4. Apparently the very last guardrail left held...

It’s terrifying that if this information is credible; that it’s gone all the way to demanding the nuclear launch codes…

It’s incredibly reassuring that someone is left that told him NO!

[orangecrush]

63. To be a fly on the wall

To hear that conversation

[RandySF]

5. Don't believe it.

Nobody has the legal authority to deny order re. nukes.

[displacedvermoter]

13. Everybody, from 4 star general to 1st Lt on an ICBM crew have the moral

Last edited Mon Apr 20, 2026, 08:36 PM - Edit history (1)

obligation, and legal, to question any order to launch nuclear weapons, just like any other order. The requirement in the UCMJ to disobey an unlawful order is that legal authority. How that plays out if this sort of thing -- if true, it is terrifying, I literally got a chill -- happens again, involving different people, it is hard to say.

[Tetrachloride]

32. everyone has the authority to deny a psycho war crime

by any means necessary

[Safe as Milk]

44. Not true.

It cannot be a purely unilateral decision. It's a group decision.

[FakeNoose]

50. The group decided to disobey Chump's insane order

I don't have a problem with that. Thank goodness someone with sense is in control.

[orangecrush]

64. I'm betting they told him

If he tried it he'd be hauled out under guard.

[Sector 001]

6. The Missiles Are Flying - The Dead Zone

[mobeau69]

7. What's the source?

[chowder66]

23. A twitter post. I posted a fact check from Yahoo news down thread.

[magicarpet]

9. Caine probably said... back off buster,..

... I'll get the one star, two star, three star, and four star generals to head for the exit doors. Then where will the trump presidency be ? Is Kegsbreath and his squadron of idiot sycophant going to run the show for you ?

[SamuelTheThird]

10. Read Johnson's wikipedia entry

He doesn't strike one as a trustworthy source (ie he said Russia didn't interfere in Trumps first election)

[Bluetus]

93. His claim about t a particular meeting is not a debunk.

We all heard Trump make multiple threats of using WMDs during that very time period. Just because he did not demand the nuke codes at one particular moment is hardly proof that he didn't have to be stopped at a different time. We all know the things that General Kelly reported, and Trump is a lot more insane and desperate now than he was in 2019.

[flvegan]

11. 30 Recs yet smells like clickbait.

How did/does this retired CIA analyst know this? Was he there? What emergency meeting, any reports of that even happening?

ETA: number of Recs to title, that's kind of my thing

[displacedvermoter]

14. I just don't have faith anymore that it isn't true

[Polybius]

19. Plus no link

n/t

[demmiblue]

30. 62 now, and on the front page. So embarrassing.

[flvegan]

57. 125 now, and Top 5 Greatest currently.

Oh, dear.

[demmiblue]

59. I'm shocked.

Wait, no I’m not.

[calimary]

12. If it's true, THAT should be grounds for impeachment AND removal.

And the sooner, the better!!!

[mr715]

16. If this were true, it'd be a military coup.

[Doodley]

41. But who is doing the coup? Trump or the military?

[mr715]

46. The military.

[Diraven]

84. Refusing illegal orders isn't a coup

It's part of the top officers' jobs.

[Baitball Blogger]

17. I have been hearing this all over social media.

Last edited Mon Apr 20, 2026, 08:47 PM - Edit history (1)

Once it’s confirmed every Republican in Congress needs to be interviewed and asked, “How about now?”

[JoseBalow]

18. Cool story

[chowder66]

21. Fact Check: Caine Did Not Storm Out of Emergency Meeting After Trump Suggested Threatening Iran With Nuclear Weapons

Did Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, storm out of an emergency meeting after President Donald Trump said he wanted to threaten Iran with nuclear weapons? No, that's not true: There are no credible or verified reports indicating that such an incident ever occurred. While news coverage has documented internal discussions and differing views within the administration over potential military action against Iran, none describe Caine storming out of a meeting or reacting in that manner to a request from the president.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here) by the @JaokooMoses account on X on April 19, 2026. It read:

CONFIRMED: The US joint Chiefs of staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine stormed out of an emergency meeting with Trump. Insiders indicate that Trump wanted to invoke the nuclear codes as a deterrence against Iran but Caine refused and invoked the U.S. Uniform Code of Military Justice.

This is what the post looked like on X at the time of writing:

more at linky dink....
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/fact-check-caine-did-not-225644148.html

[RandySF]

28. Yahoo reprinted the story from 'Lead Stories'

Again, the president has sole authority to use a nuke. Military personal can only either resign, sit in the brig or guide him away from dropping it too close to a school or something. That's it.

Bottom line:If Trump decides he really wants to do it, there's nothing to stop him.

[Qutzupalotl]

31. I don't care whether Caine " stormed out."

I care whether Trump wanted to nuke Iran.

[Figarosmom]

58. So the question that's asked and answered is did the general

storm out of the meeting,not did Caine stop trump from trying to use the nuclear codes. Kinda weasely.

[radical noodle]

24. Are there any links to this story?

All I could find is something saying it's false.

[demmiblue]

26. FFS... Larry C. Johnson:

Michelle Obama hoax
Beginning in 2007, Johnson emerged as a critic of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.[1] As a result he was attacked by his former allies on the political left.[1] According to The New York Times, Johnson is "best known for spreading a hoax... in 2008 that Michelle Obama had been videotaped using a slur against Caucasians".[12] On May 16, 2008, Johnson posted an item entitled, "Will Barack Throw Mama From the Train?" which alleged that a tape existed of Michelle Obama "railing against 'whitey' at Jeremiah Wright's church."[13][non-primary source needed] Johnson claimed that Republicans were in possession of the tape and it "is being held for the fall to drop at the appropriate time." In a subsequent post, Johnson claimed that Obama's appearance had occurred when she was on a panel with Louis Farrakhan. He also explained that he himself had not seen the tape, but had spoken with "five separate sources who have spoken directly with people who have seen the tape."[14][non-primary source needed] The Obama campaign's "Fight the Smears" website denied the rumor, saying, "No such tape exists. Michelle Obama has not spoken from the pulpit at Trinity and has not used that word."[15] On October 21, 2008, Johnson said that, according to one of his sources, the McCain campaign "intervened and requested the tape not be used."[16][non-primary source needed]

Allegations that British intelligence wiretapped Donald Trump
In March 2017, Andrew Napolitano said on Fox & Friends that GCHQ, Britain's signals intelligence service, had wiretapped Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign on orders from President Obama.[12][17] Johnson was the source for Napolitano's claim.[12][18] Sean Spicer, President Trump's press secretary, repeated the claim.[12] Fox News later disavowed the statement by Napolitano.[12]

Russia
Johnson defended Russia from allegations that it interfered in the 2016 presidential election.[19] Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Johnson has made regular appearances on Russian media and expressed support for its war effort. He has been cited hundreds of times in pro-Kremlin Russian media, including Izvestia, Sputnik, and RIA Novosti.[20] In March 2025, Johnson was one of three media personalities invited to interview Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.[21]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_C._Johnson

[RandySF]

33. I remember him.

He ran a blog in the early 2000's called No Quarter. He lost his mind when Obama won the Democratic presidential nomination.

[surfered]

83. That was one terrible web site, spreading misinformation about the Obama Administration. They considered my

fact-checking as trolling.

[AZ8theist]

76. In other words, he's a piece of shit.

[mobeau69]

27. Thanks

[2na fisherman]

29. Not Corroborated But...

Larry Johnson is not a very credible source nor has this story been independently verified by other news outlets. However, it does sound like something Trump would actually do given his declining state of mind. I wonder if anyone has the courage to stop him before he does such a thing. That person must be aware that he or she would be remembered in history as the one who saved the world from doomsday. Ever since Trump got elected, I said to myself, he's gonna' kill us all. And he seems to be getting closer to that point every day.

[RandySF]

37. From an expert at MIT (2017)

What would happen if someone tries to enter the chain of command, for example by countermanding or refusing to obey a presidential order?

Anyone who attempts to contravene a valid, authentic and legal (in the sense of whether the strike package was legal, and all off-the-shelf nuclear strike packages are pre-vetted for legality to some degree) order would be doing so illegally and risk the charge of mutiny. Now, if POTUS ordered a nuclear first strike out of the blue against China or Russia, there would be questions about legality. But if, for example, he ordered a limited nuclear strike against targets in Iran, such as the hardened and buried Fordow enrichment facility, or a complex in North Korea, it would be very difficult to argue that the president did not have the legal right to do that out of the blue if he or she deemed it in America’s national interest.

So how does the president order the launch of nuclear weapons? The procedure, as far as we publicly know, is as follows: If POTUS decided to launch some or all of America’s nuclear weapons, s/he would simply take out the “biscuit” or authenticator which s/he carries on his/her person at all times, summon the military aide that accompanies POTUS at all times, who connects POTUS directly to the duty officer at the National Military Command Center. Based on an alphanumeric code on the “biscuit,” POTUS authenticates himself or herself to the duty officer and orders the desired nuclear launch package.

At this point, if the order is deemed to be authentic (did POTUS respond with the correct authenticator) and valid (is the strike package valid?), it is considered a legal order from the commander in chief. The duty officer then transmits the order and strike package directly to America’s nuclear missiles and submarines and bombers to carry out the order and the desired strike package. At no point is anyone else legally, or even practically, in the chain of command for nuclear launch. Anyone — the duty officer or a missileer — who contravenes or fails to carry out this order would be doing so illegally.





.https://goodauthority.org/news/there-was-no-legal-way-to-stop-trump-from-ordering-a-nuclear-strike-if-he-wanted-to-expert-says/

[Smokster]

54. Technically yes. There's a little bit of "backroom" gray area when dealing with an unhinged president it seems though

https://thebulletin.org/2024/07/trump-could-win-back-the-nuclear-codes-biden-should-put-guardrails-on-the-nuclear-arsenal-now/#:~:text=accessing%20the%20launch%20codes%20and,US%20strike%20on%20another%20country.

[Farmer-Rick]

82. Well, we're safe there pedo Trump can't read

But I guess he could get someone to read the code on the biscuit to him.

[usonian]

38. Ah, he yearns for the good old days.

Why the US used the password “00000000” to launch nuclear missiles for 20 years
https://uisjournal.com/why-the-us-used-the-password-00000000-to-launch-nuclear-missiles-for-20-years/

For about 20 years a code simply consisted of 8 consecutive zeros it was the password to control the launch of nuclear missiles by the US military. But is it a true fact or a hoax invented from scratch? As surprising as this may be, it’s all true. For nearly two decades, during the height of the Cold War, the SAC (Strategic Air Command) of the United States deliberately set the launch code to eight zeros, a seemingly absurd choice, but nevertheless with an internal logic. In fact, it was not a programming error or a banal oversight, but rather a conscious decision taken ensure a rapid response in the event of an attack. The history of this decision and its background is a fascinating example of how the need for security can conflict with operational urgency, and how nuclear protection measures can be influenced by political and military dynamics.


In the 1962, the president John F. Kennedy signed the National Security Action Memorandum 160(available on this page) by ordering the installation of devices called PAL (Permissive Action Link) on all US nuclear weapons. These systems should have prevent launch without proper authorization. In fact, they were small devices that allowed missiles to be launched only using the right code, given with the right authority.

However, SAC considered the idea of ​​such a strict lockdown a risk to its operational capacity. The main objective of the military leaders was to ensure that, in the event of an attack, the missiles could be launched without delays due to complex orders or communication difficulties with the Central Command, especially if the command channels were compromised during a nuclear attack.

1977: the year the password “00000000” was abandoned.

[spanone]

39. Something of this magnitude needs some verification.

Without that, it's nothing.

[videohead5]

47. Trump posted before

That the whole civilization would die in Iran. There is only one way that could happen. I believe he would try as insane as he is now.

[BWdem4life]

55. But didn't you know?

He was just PRETENDING to be completely unhinged as a negotiating tactic!

[Botany]

42. If this is true he needs to be removed from office now.

His fuck up with his unneeded war on the people of Iran, Bibi’s side show of trying to make Southern
Lebanon part of Israel, the poll #s, his declining health, and the Epstein files must make him feel like his world is declining around him so he sees using nuclear weapons as an out because he is bat shit crazy.

[Doodley]

43. Remember when Trump suggested using nukes on hurricanes? He's way more insane now than then.

[MaineNative]

45. This sums up this lunatic

Thanks to The Dangerous Ones.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ORaAQjhyZyk?si=Nzdj7FblPX_OzI9Y

[FakeNoose]

48. I believe he wanted to, and thank goodness the military leaders are still sane enough to stop him

He can't launch the nukes alone, even though he thinks he can. Thank you General Dan Caine! There will be books and movies about this craziness very soon, I'm sure!

[Upthevibe]

49. Kick. N/T

[Jedi Guy]

51. This doesn't pass the smell test.

Trump doesn't need to ask Caine or anyone else for the codes. A military attache is always with him and this person has possession of the "football", which contains all the required info. All he has to do is present his authentication, select his target(s), and give the order. The attache has no power to deny him access as long as he presents the correct credentials.

While plausible in the sense that Trump is dumb and/or crazy enough to seriously consider using nukes unprovoked, it strikes me as odd that this retired CIA analyst doesn't know the control procedures and thinks Trump has to ask the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to give them to him.

[ToxMarz]

56. I don't think he has to ask anyone for the codes

Sounds like the only one to stand in his way is potentially Secretary of Defense (Kegsbreath). There may have been some issue, but by saying 'he wanted the codes" makes the whole story sound fishy (unknowledgeable). There are no codes he needs to be given by anyone.

Quick search says:

The President has the authorization codes, known as "the biscuit," on their person at all times, rather than asking for them. As the sole authority for nuclear use, the President can order a strike without advisor consultation, but they do not physically press a button; they identify themselves via the codes to the Pentagon.

Key Aspects of the Nuclear Command System:
The Biscuit & Football: The president carries a plastic card the "biscuit", with codes to identify themselves, which are used in conjunction with the "nuclear football," a briefcase carried by a military aide containing launch options.

Sole Authority: The President holds the exclusive power to authorize a nuclear strike. There is no legal requirement to consult with the Vice President, Congress, or military advisors, though the Secretary of Defense must confirm the order.
The Chain of Command: While the President authorizes the strike, the order is transmitted through the military chain of command, where officials must ensure the order is lawful, though they cannot legally prevent an authorized strike.
No "Button": The system is designed to verify the identity of the Commander-in-Chief rather than operate via a simple button press.

While some users on Reddit and Quora speculate that the president only holds part of the code or requires a second code from the Secretary of Defense, official information highlights the president's sole authority and possession of the authentication "biscuit".

[MorbidButterflyTat]

60. Nuclear experts on this thread trying to convince everyone Piggy can do anything he wants any time he wants...

why?

[johnnyfins]

61. They are just concerned :/

[orangecrush]

62. It happened in his first term also

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/milley-acted-prevent-trump-misusing-nuclear-weapons-war-china-book-n1279187

[B.See]

65. Somehow, I find the story of Trump

wanting the codes and SOMEONE at least, having the integrity, wisdom, morality, and COMMON SENSE to tell him no, far more comforting

than I do the notion that absolutely NO one could or would stop him if he did.

If it's the latter then the world is fukd.

[progressoid]

66. That's not mental illness.

[pat_k]

67. Larry Johnson, purveyor of Russian propaganda on Ukraine...

... and bullshit like the claim that British intelligence spied on Trump for Obama.

Also reportedly a frequent guest on platforms like Russia Today and InfoWars.

I'm not sure how this particular bit of mis/ dis-information fits with previous bullshit.

We've gotta watch out for this shit. Some is quite insidious counter-resistance propaganda designed to appeal to -- and be spread by -- the likes of us. The aim is often to raise a hope of some sort that is dashed when debunked, leaving us more hopeless, or to provide something right-wingnuts can point to and say "what idiots to believe X."

[WarGamer]

68. 157 recs for debunked nonsense... sad.

[sarisataka]

69. Confirmation bias is alive and well

critical thinking- dead and buried.

[WarGamer]

72. post of the year.

[Smokster]

74. Little harsh maybe.

Normally I'd say Mutually Assured Destruction still holds as a policy or should. Nuclear winter is bad for business, global capitalism and billionaires with their fangs in everything globally such as it is. At this point, I'm not so sure about that stance, whether this latest claim is obvious bullshit or not. This latest Trump administration is not the last and is filled with malignant narcissists, psychopaths, and sociopaths with no guardrails. The "limited nuclear war is winnable crowd" have their fangs deeply embedded in this administration. Along with a new generation of young social media influencers and young people who think nuclear war is a video game in which "one side wins." Critical thinking considers the ramifications of such a mindset...

[orangecrush]

78. Is it?

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/milley-acted-prevent-trump-misusing-nuclear-weapons-war-china-book-n1279187

[Ol Janx Spirit]

86. Aren't a lot of the REC'S for the fact that someone is posting that it WAS debunked?

Not for the story that was debunked?

[RandySF]

71. And Trump already has the code.

A POTUS carries it with them at all times. We want to believe life is like the movies but it's not. If he chooses pre-approve strike package that oder has to be followed or face court martial. And yes, I think he'll eventually nuke the uranium site.

[EdmondDantes_]

73. Does something need to be debunked if it was never more than a rumor?

Just because we don't like Trump that doesn't mean everything bad about him is absolute truth. He sucks from what we factually know without the need for unfounded rumors from a clown like Larry Johnson.

[orangecrush]

77. And 4 years from now

We may find out it was not debunked.

Milley stopped him in his first term.


https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/milley-acted-prevent-trump-misusing-nuclear-weapons-war-china-book-n1279187

[Javaman]

81. and whose in charge of the records?

until I see proof to the contrary, he asked for them.

[MineralMan]

85. Yes. That story was bullshit from the start.

Anyone who believed it has no understanding of how that stuff works.

[John1956PA]

87. With a mentally firm, physically healthy president, the biscuit would be on their person at almost all times.

With a president who, because of personal physical challenges, needs to make several changes of clothing throughout the day, an aide may be in possession of the biscuit during certain intervals.

[Cosmocat]

88. I find what was initially reported to be very plausible

they didn't want the fuckwit getting any information that he would bullhorn to the entire planet that would put the troops in peril.

[Kid Berwyn]

89. It doesn't matter if he did or not.

The record is full of examples where he has asked the military to do his illegal and immoral bidding, from shooting protesters in DC to bombing Iran for Israel.

What matters is that We the People, like the Constitution says, return to giving the Pentagon its orders.

[usonian]

90. They outsmsarted him (talk about a low hurdle to jump)

According to records no meeting happened as claimed.

Everyone with knowledge of the meeting was ....



Still alive? Yes, he was not well-hung.

[Initech]

91. He needs to be in a nursing home under 24/7 supervision.

And he should also have his TV and his social media accounts taken away from him.

[maxrandb]

92. This is what counts as "debunked" now?

Daffy Duck "debunks" that it's rabbit season.

?feature=shared