President Donald Trump on Friday pushed back against critics who claimed his tough posture toward North Korea would lead to nuclear war with the rogue regime, saying, "Weakness gets you nuclear war."
Trump brought up his North Korea policy while addressing the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Dallas, Texas, where he needled those voices that said his rhetoric and pressure campaign could trigger a nuclear confrontation on the Korean peninsula.
"With respect to North Korea, remember how strong it was when they were saying, 'This is going to be nuclear war. We're going to have nuclear'—No," Trump said. "You know what gets you nuclear war? Weakness gets you nuclear war. Being weak gets you nuclear war. That's what gets you nuclear war."
Trump's comments came after he announced earlier on Friday that the United States and North Korea have agreed to a date and location for the anticipated historic meeting between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"We're having very substantive talks with North Korea," Trump said before he departed for Andrews Air Force Base. "I think you're going to be seeing very, very good things. And also the trip is being scheduled. We now have a date. And we have a location. We'll be announcing it soon."