During Tuesday night’s debate, former President Donald Trump recounted a dramatic threat he supposedly made to “Abdul … the head of the Taliban” while discussing the Biden administration’s handling of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Trump’s anecdote dates back to his presidency, with the former president alleging that his threat was a response to the deaths of U.S. soldiers.
“I got involved. And Abdul is the head of the Taliban. He is still the head of the Taliban,” Trump claimed. “And I told Abdul, ‘Don’t do it anymore. You do it anymore, you’re going to have problems.’ And he said, ‘Why do you send me a picture of my house?’ I said, ‘You’re going to have to figure that out, Abdul.’ And for 18 months we had nobody killed.”
However, it is unclear who Trump was referring to as “Abdul.”
The current leader of the Taliban is Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has been in charge since 2016.
In a 2022 interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump recounted a “rough call” with “the leader of the Taliban, Abdul,” saying, “I said, ‘Don’t do it.’ It was strong. And he understood it.” When Hannity hinted at the threat’s repercussions, Trump affirmed, “We had a strong phone call. Let’s put it that way.”
This summer, Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) shared a similar version of the story on former ESPN host Sage Steele’s podcast, claiming Trump told the Taliban leader, “If you harm a hair on a single American, I’m going to kill you,” and used a satellite image of the leader’s home to back up his threat.
Hunt’s recounting of the story gained attention and was highlighted by Fox News host Greg Gutfeld as the “Gutfeld!” video of the day on July 3. Gutfeld and his guests praised Trump’s alleged display of “masculinity” and ability to motivate.
The Trump administration did not include any mention of this threat in its official communications regarding the 2020 agreement to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has not responded to Trump’s claims on his official social media channels.
The Associated Press has reported no period of 18 months during Trump’s presidency without U.S. combat deaths in Afghanistan, though there was an 18-month span from the end of Trump’s term into Biden’s administration with no U.S. service member fatalities.
Trump’s tale prompted a flood of reactions, including a humorous response from ‘Abdul’ (See it below).
Correcting what Trump just said: Abdul isn’t the head of the Taliban, the leader of the Taliban is called Haibatullah Akhundzada, and the Taliban barely used snipers against U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Their deadliest weapon was IEDs, not snipers. pic.twitter.com/DNfXbTNLMT
— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) September 11, 2024
I thought it was sketchy when he said Abdul.
— the Wisest ofGuys (@johnforchione) September 11, 2024
Oh man, this is got me laughing out loud! It’s the only Middle Eastern name he could think of
— Denclo (@den3301) September 11, 2024
Abdul responds #debate2024 #trump #kamala #Abdul pic.twitter.com/LFqVh0MiEg
— hotvickkrishna (@hotvickkrishna) September 11, 2024
Hey Trump never gets names right. Just ask Leon Musk.
— Greg (@gcoln) September 11, 2024
This is embarrassing.
— UNFATHOMABLE🎗️ (@kld582) September 11, 2024
Abdul short for Haibatulla.
— Oscar Augou (@AugouOscar) September 11, 2024
Abdul was a much easier name for Trump to remember and say. Two syllables.
— CJ McKeehan (@CarolynMckeehan) September 11, 2024
"Abdul" lives in his old demented head
— RNsUnite (@RNs_Unite) September 11, 2024
Mr. Khan, I never check what this man says seriously, he has so often proven to be a liar. even when he tries to tell the truth, his tongue trips him up. It's hard to believe that this person is close to the White House, because he's not not fit.
— Claudia McLean (@claudiamclean22) September 11, 2024
Harris expression says it all…he’s really Fuc*kin’ crazier than l thought !
— Phyllis Weymers Smith (@ovathehillphyl) September 11, 2024
