President Trump said he understands why Iranians are not rising up against the regime, citing the government’s threat to shoot and kill unarmed protesters and claiming at least 32,000 have already been killed.
🚨 Q: Iranians aren't rising up like you asked, what's up with that?
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 16, 2026
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "They put out statements that if you protest, you will be shot and killed…the protestors have no guns."
"It's very hard for them to protest. I fully understand it."
"They killed 32,000… pic.twitter.com/dJe1gltlI0
REPORTER: Iranians aren’t rising up like you asked, what’s up with that?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “They put out statements that if you protest, you will be shot and killed. The protestors have no guns.”
“It’s very hard for them to protest. I fully understand it.”
“They killed 32,000 protestors, at least. We think the number’s much higher than that.”
“Who were greatly enthusiastic and wanted to see a change…think of it. Shot and killed much more than 32,000. Now they put out a notice ‘we’re going to shoot and kill any protestor.’ And protestors don’t have guns.”
“I can fully understand why they’re not doing it.”