Trump Stokes Fear with Cryptic Remark About ‘Calm Before the Storm’ After Military Meeting

President Trump is causing confusion — and fear — after a cryptic comment he made to the press following a military dinner at the White House on Thursday.

After summoning the media to a last-minute photo op with “the world’s great military people” on Thursday evening, Trump asked reporters: “You guys know what this represents? Maybe it’s the calm before the storm.”

“What’s the storm?” asked one reporter. “On Iran? On ISIS? On what?”

“We have the world’s great military people, I’ll tell you that,” Trump replied. “Thank you all for coming.”

When pressed further on the mysterious “storm” by NBC News’ Kristen Welker, the president replied: “You’ll find out.”

TRUMP: "Maybe it's the calm before the storm."
…
REPORTER: "What storm Mr. President?"
TRUMP: "You'll find out." (via Satellite News) http://pic.twitter.com/bWMzGrDPNa

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 5, 2017

Trump’s remarks have led to speculation over whether his administration is planning some kind of military action — especially given the president’s promises in recent weeks to respond to any North Korean aggression toward the U.S.

In a dinner w/ military officials @POTUS says" this is the calm before the storm." When I asked 'what storm?' He replied " you'll find out."

— Kristen Welker (@kwelkernbc) October 5, 2017

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By Friday morning, “Calm Before the Storm” was trending on Twitter, where many people questioned Trump’s comments — and their timing.

We just had the largest mass murder in US modern history, people are dying in Puerto Rico, and Trump calls this the calm before the storm?

— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) October 6, 2017

Trump says we're in the calm before the storm. We haven't had 1 calm day this year. Not 1. But if worse is coming, #TheResistance is ready.

— Bryce Tache (@brycetache) October 6, 2017

"The calm before the storm" is a perfectly reasonable thing to say as president… if the president is SUPPOSED to startle citizens.

— RHS Young Dems (@YDAWarriors) October 6, 2017

Wait, THIS is the calm? http://bit.ly/2fXPcEz

— Colin Kahl (@ColinKahl) October 5, 2017

Options:
1) upcoming tweetstorm defending Harvey Weinstein
2) Doritos evacuation
3) resignation
4) throwing Paper Towels at commanders http://bit.ly/2fYgDOR

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) October 5, 2017

Prediction: Trump's "calm before the storm" comment is that he plans to fire Mueller. (I know he can be re-hired by., etc. JUST PREDICTING)

— JEN KIRKMAN (@JenKirkman) October 6, 2017

The "calm before the storm" Trump referred to is that he is ditching the Iran deal–and making the world an even more dangerous place.

— Matt Ortega (@MattOrtega) October 6, 2017

Gulp http://bit.ly/2fYeGBX

— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) October 6, 2017

If you had "calm before the storm", "moron" and "paper towel toss", you win this week's prize.

And what is this week's prize?

— Andy Slavitt (@ASlavitt) October 6, 2017

If THIS is the calm… God help us all.

— Daniel Danger Marin (@dangermarin) October 6, 2017

Freaked out? Support HR 669 by Sen @EdMarkey & me. Bill prohibits @POTUS from launching nuclear 1st strike without Congressional approval. http://bit.ly/2fXR7ZV

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) October 6, 2017

Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California urged “freaked out” followers to support a bill he co-sponsored with Sen. Ed Markey that explicitly forbids the first use of nuclear weapons without authorization from Congress through a declaration of war.