Donald Trump's answer to a reporter's question about how long the U.S. might remain in control of Venezuela after the military captured the nation's leader caused an outcry from observers Saturday.
A reporter over the weekend asked the president, "Is it possible that the US ends up administering Venezuela for years?" to which Trump replied, "Well, you know, it won't cost us anything because the money coming out of the ground is very substantial."
Social media lit up with analysts and experts pouncing on what some called a "revealing answer."
Former Republican strategist Jeff Timmer said, "His brain is Cheez Whiz."
Journalist and lawyer Cassandra Centeno, Esq. said, "Someone please ask Trump to point out Venezuela on a world map."
Self-identified civil engineer Jahangir Alam Sikdar replied, "That’s a revealing answer."
"Sounds like the focus is more on Venezuela’s oil than on rebuilding the country itself," he added.
Human rights researcher Nora Noralla said, "The good thing about having Trump in power is that we do not need to hear the bulls--- American presidents usually say about invading other countries and having puppet regimes."
"He is direct; this is all about American imperialism and resources, nothing more," they added on Saturday.
Columnist Peter Rothpletz chimed in, "We’re not just decapitating the regime. we’re not merely seizing the oil."
"Trump is promising a full-scale invasion and multi-year military occupation," he added.
DJ Quinlan said, "Venezuela is a huge country with a lot of violence."
"Administering it will require a major military presence and cost hundreds of billions," he added. "Maduro was an illegitimate dictator, but history suggests this will not have a happy ending for the Venezuelan people or our economy."
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