Merry Christmas to dead terrorists’: Donald Trump as US strikes ISIS in Nigeria

By Admin

26 Dec, 2025

Introduction
Former US President Donald Trump has once again made global headlines following a US military strike against ISIS militants in Nigeria. The operation, which Trump described in strikingly blunt terms on social media, was framed by him as a direct response to violence against Christian communities in the West African nation.

Trump links strikes to killings of Christians
According to Donald Trump, the strikes carried out by what he referred to as the US “Department of War” were aimed at ISIS militants responsible for the “vicious killing” of Christians in Nigeria. Trump has repeatedly warned that Christianity faces what he calls an “existential threat” in the country, particularly in regions affected by extremist violence.

Beginning in late October, Trump had publicly threatened military intervention in Nigeria, accusing its leadership of failing to stop attacks on Christian communities. He positioned the airstrikes as the fulfillment of those warnings.

Statement on Truth Social
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed personal responsibility for the operation. He wrote that, acting as Commander in Chief, he had directed a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria. Trump alleged that the group had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” at levels not seen for many years, or even centuries.

US Africa Command confirms operation
The US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed on X that the strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities. According to the command, multiple ISIS militants were killed during the operation. This confirmation underscores that the strike was coordinated with Nigeria’s government rather than carried out unilaterally.

‘Merry Christmas to the dead terrorists’ remark
Trump’s comments drew significant attention for their language and timing. While wishing people a Merry Christmas, he included the terrorists among his remarks, stating that many more of them would be dead if attacks on Christians continued. He reiterated his earlier warning that there would be “hell to pay” if the violence did not stop, adding that the US military had executed “numerous perfect strikes.”

He further declared that under his leadership, the United States “will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper,” praising the capabilities of the US military and invoking religious blessings.

Nigeria’s response and broader context
Nigeria’s government has consistently stated that armed groups in the country target both Muslims and Christians, and that the security crisis is complex. Officials have argued that claims of systematic persecution of Christians oversimplify the situation and overlook ongoing efforts to protect religious freedom.

However, Nigeria has agreed to work with the United States to strengthen its forces against militant groups, acknowledging the need for international cooperation in combating extremism.

Religious and regional divide
Nigeria’s population is broadly divided along religious lines, with Muslims living primarily in the north and Christians largely concentrated in the south. This demographic reality adds layers of political, social, and security complexity to the ongoing violence, making counterterrorism efforts particularly challenging.

Conclusion
The US strikes against ISIS in Nigeria and Donald Trump’s reaction highlight how counterterrorism, religion, and political messaging intersect on the global stage. While the military operation was conducted with Nigerian cooperation, Trump’s framing of the issue has reignited debate over religious persecution, foreign intervention, and the language used by leaders when addressing acts of violence.