President Donald Trump took the stage at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida on Friday evening, appearing in high spirits. With a hint of irony, he addressed the enduring issue of communist Cuba, situated just 90 miles from Key West. For more than half a century, the island’s residents have endured harsh economic conditions, with images depicting a nation seemingly frozen in the 1960s.

In his remarks, Trump referenced Cuba’s history of aligning with adversaries of the United States, quipping about possibly taking over the island, a comment that drew laughter from the audience. Watch the moment here:

MORE: Trump Imposes New May Day Sanctions on Cuban Government

Progressive Democrats Attribute Cuba’s Hardships to US Oil Embargo, Not Communism

Trump delivered his comments with a smirk, earning applause and laughter, yet his administration’s approach toward Cuba has been anything but lighthearted. The current administration has intensified pressure on the Cuban government, implementing sanctions and curtailing oil supplies. Trump has declared that the communist regime is nearing its end. With the support of Cuban-American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the “maximum pressure” campaign has included hints at possibly removing President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power.

As reported by Ward Clark from RedState on Friday, Trump announced new sanctions against Cuba in honor of May Day. The news was shared by Jeremy Lewin, Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom:

“On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big, maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. We’ll have that come in, stop about 100 yards offshore, and they’ll say, ‘thank you very much, we give up!’” 🤣

“A place called Cuba, which we will be taking over almost immediately. Now, Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one [the conflict in Iran] first. I like to finish the job.”

Cuba is next, Marco [Rubio] has been waiting! 🔥

MORE: Trump Slaps New May Day Sanctions on Cuban Regime

Progressive Dems Blame Cuba’s Suffering on US Oil Embargo, Not Communism

The president had a slight grin on his face as he delivered the remarks, which were received with laughter and applause, but the actions he’s taken in his second stint as president have been anything but funny to the regime of the República de Cuba. He has hammered them with sanctions, cut off much of their oil supply, and publicly stated that the country is “seeing the end” of its communist way of life. Backed by his Cuban-American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Trump’s administration has subscribed to a “maximum pressure” strategy and has even hinted they might force the removal of President Miguel Díaz‑Canel.

As RedState’s Ward Clark reported Friday, Trump ordered new May Day sanctions against the communist regime. Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin posted the news:

Today, @POTUS imposed powerful new sanctions on the Cuban regime and its kleptocratic elites, military-intelligence apparatus and financial enablers. Just 90 miles from the American homeland, Cuba’s communist rulers have turned the island over to hostile military, intelligence…

— Senior Official Jeremy Lewin (@UnderSecretaryF) May 1, 2026

Today, @POTUS imposed powerful new sanctions on the Cuban regime and its kleptocratic elites, military-intelligence apparatus and financial enablers. Just 90 miles from the American homeland, Cuba’s communist rulers have turned the island over to hostile military, intelligence and terrorist actors. Under President Trump and @SecRubio, we are reasserting American dominance in our hemisphere and ensuring crime, drugs, chaos and anti-Americanism never again fester in our backyard.

Trump might be joking — but he might not be. With Operation Midnight Hammer attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025, Operation Absolute Resolve in January of this year, which removed former dictator Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela, and the ongoing Operation Epic Fury against the mullahs of Iran that commenced in February, the president has proven that he’s willing to take actions that other presidents would never even fathom.

He may have just been joshing at the event — but if I were a Cuban leader tonight, I sure as heck wouldn’t be laughing.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and his administration’s bold leadership, we are respected on the world stage, and our enemies are being put on notice.