U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Doral Miami in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 9, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Donald Trump added to a turbulent Saturday with a racially charged immigration post on Truth Social, repeating a slogan popular among white nationalists — just hours after threatening Iran with an apocalyptic 48-hour ultimatum.
Earlier in the day, Trump warned that "all Hell will reign down" on Iran if they didn't make a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, signing off with "Glory be to GOD!"
Hours later, he pivoted to domestic messaging with equal intensity: "If you import the Third World, you become the Third World!" he posted. "AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS LONG AS I AM PRESIDENT."
The phrase, long circulated in far-right circles and previously used by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, frames immigration from developing nations as an existential threat to American civilization. It's often referred to as Great Replacement theory.
The posts come amid a cratering economy and as 13 American service members have died in Iran, with gas prices topping $4 a gallon nationally.
Trump has repeatedly used dehumanizing language to describe immigrants, including describing them as people who are "poisoning the blood" of the country, language historians have noted echoes of the rhetoric of authoritarian movements.