President Donald Trump revealed Friday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has “offered everything” in a desperate attempt to persuade the United States to halt military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.
The President made the blunt remark using the “f-bomb” during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, responding to a question about reports that Maduro had tried to open back-channel negotiations.
“It’s been reported, Mr. President—it has been reported that Maduro offered everything in his country, all the natural resources,” one reporter asked. “He even recorded a message to you in English recently, offering mediation. What could he do in order to stop that?”
Trump, known for his unfiltered style, did not mince words.
“He has offered everything. He’s offered everything. You’re right. You know why?” the President replied. “Because he doesn’t want to f*** around with the United States.”
The comment drew gasps from the press corps and laughter from some members of the administration seated nearby. It also underscored the growing tension between Washington and Caracas as U.S. forces intensify operations against what the administration calls “narco-terrorist” networks operating from Venezuelan waters.
Trump’s remarks came as American warships and aircraft continue to carry out strikes on boats suspected of transporting cocaine and other narcotics across the Caribbean Sea. Administration officials say the effort has disrupted major drug-smuggling routes and crippled organizations tied to the Venezuelan regime.
Maduro’s attempts to secure relief from the U.S. campaign have been detailed in recent media reports. According to those accounts, the Venezuelan leader has reached out to several foreign figures, including Pope Leo XIV, seeking diplomatic mediation.
“I have great faith that Pope Leo, as I stated in the letter I sent him, will help Venezuela preserve and achieve peace and stability,” Maduro said earlier this month, following a wave of successful U.S. strikes on vessels linked to drug cartels.
President Trump, however, appears unmoved. He has reportedly authorized covert CIA operations inside Venezuela while the Pentagon drafts options for limited land-based strikes should Maduro’s government continue to harbor traffickers.
“We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,” Trump told reporters earlier in the week.
Trump on Friday said his administration would investigate billionaire George Soros and members of his family for possible racketeering charges.
“We’re going to look into Soros,” Trump told Fox & Friends. “Because I think it’s a RICO case against him and other people.”
“Because this is more than like protests,” Trump continued. “This is real agitation. This is riots on the street. And we’re going to look into it.” He alleged that protesters “get paid for their profession from Soros and other people.”
The remarks mark the strongest public signal yet that Trump intends to bring the weight of federal law enforcement against Soros, a longtime Democratic donor and frequent target of conservatives who accuse him of quietly funding left-wing causes.
Trump previously floated the idea of such charges on Truth Social, writing:
“George Soros, and his wonderful Radical Left son, should be charged with RICO because of their support of Violent Protests, and much more, all throughout the United States of America. We’re not going to allow these lunatics to rip apart America any more, never giving it so much as a chance to ‘BREATHE,’ and be FREE. Soros, and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our Country! That includes his Crazy, West Coast friends. Be careful, we’re watching you!”
