Unverified claims alleging President Donald Trump attempted to access “nuclear codes” during a White House meeting on Iran surfaced this week. The rumor originates from a single podcast appearance and lacks official confirmation or independent corroboration.
White House says rumors that Donald Trump tried to use nuclear codes aren’t true
The claim that Donald Trump asked for nuclear codes stems from remarks made by former CIA officer Larry Johnson during an appearance on the Judging Freedom podcast. During the April 20 episode, Johnson alleged that an emergency White House meeting took place amid rising tensions related to the Iran war.
He claimed: “One report coming out of that meeting at the White House is that Trump wanted to use the nuclear, so-called, use the nuclear codes, and General Dan Caine stood up and said ‘no.” Johnson added that the exchange was “apparently quite a blowup.”
However, Johnson did not provide evidence, identify sources, or clarify what he meant by “nuclear codes.” He also did not specify whether the claim referred to a nuclear strike, a briefing, or any formal command process.
Johnson further referenced a video he said showed General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, leaving the meeting “with his head down.” The video, shown during the podcast, has not been independently verified, and its connection to the alleged meeting remains unclear.
Despite the attention online, there is no confirmed evidence that Donald Trump attempted to initiate a nuclear strike or access nuclear launch authority. A White House spokesperson told Newsweek that the claim was false.
The claim also raises questions about how nuclear command procedures work. Under established U.S. protocol, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff does not have unilateral authority to block a presidential nuclear order. Johnson’s use of the term “nuclear codes” appeared informal, without explaining the actual process.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
