Snopes: Trump said 'we appreciate' that Colombia sells cocaine to the US

U.S. President Donald Trump said: "I hear Colombia, the country of Colombia, is making cocaine. They have cocaine manufacturing plants, OK? And then they sell us their cocaine. We appreciate that very much."

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Trump's intent behind the remark was unclear. We have reached out to the White House to learn more. Right after making the statement, Trump said anyone bringing drugs into the U.S. "is subject to attack."

On Dec. 2, 2025, during the White House's last Cabinet meeting of the year, U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly thanked Colombia for selling cocaine to the U.S. Trump was responding to journalists' questions about a reported strike by the U.S. military on an suspected drug boat in September 2025, saying he would consider land strikes on drug traffickers.

According to posts on social media, Trump said "we appreciate" that Colombia sells the U.S. its cocaine. The office of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X, "After pardoning and releasing multiple drug traffickers from federal prison, Trump thanks Colombia for manufacturing cocaine and sending it to the United States."

Link to tweet