Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) experienced a major slip-of-the-tongue Tuesday afternoon while being questioned by reporters about the U.S. war against Iran.
When asked if he felt Israel had forced the U.S.’s hand in joining a military campaign, Schumer said: “No one wants a nuclear war, no one wants a nuclear Israel, but we certainly don’t want endless war, plain and simple.”
As the senator began to walk away from the gaggle, the reporter quickly asked him to clarify his statement.
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“What did I say?” Schumer asked, eliciting a number of laughs from the group of reporters.
Then, he quickly corrected himself.
“Oh, no! Let me say that again,” Schumer said. “No one wants an endless war, but we certainly don’t want a nuclear Iran, that’s for sure, okay?”
— Chris Menahan 🇺🇸 (@infolibnews) March 3, 2026
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Reporter: Do you think Israel boxed the US into war with Iran?
Schumer: "Look, no one wants a nuclear war, no one wants a nuclear Israel, but we certainly don't want an endless war."
*Walks away*
*Turns around*
Schumer: "What'd I say?"
Reporter: "Nuclear Israel."
Schumer:… pic.twitter.com/sBRK4VYB39
— Chris Menahan 🇺🇸 (@infolibnews) March 3, 2026
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Reporter: Do you think Israel boxed the US into war with Iran?
Schumer: “Look, no one wants a nuclear war, no one wants a nuclear Israel, but we certainly don’t want an endless war.”
*Walks away*
*Turns around*
Schumer: “What’d I say?”
Reporter: “Nuclear Israel.”
Schumer:… pic.twitter.com/sBRK4VYB39
— Chris Menahan 🇺🇸 (@infolibnews) March 3, 2026