Trump Doubles Down On Criticism of Kim Jong Un During Alabama Rally

President Donald Trump  went after Kim Jong Un during a campaign rally for Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.) in Alabama on Friday night, the latest barb in the ongoing exchange of threats and insults between the two leaders.

Trump called the North Korean dictator a “mad man” and “rocket man” during the endorsement speech for Strange, echoing insults the president made against Kim earlier this week  at the United Nations General Assembly. 

“Little rocket man,” the president continued. “We’re going to do it because we really have no choice. He’s talking about a massive weapon exploding over the ocean ... which causes tremendous calamity.” 

Trump did suggest that diplomatic solutions with North Korea over its weapons programs could be reached, saying “maybe something gets worked out and maybe it doesn’t.” But he appeared to walk that back almost immediately by adding, “Personally, I’m not sure that it will.” 

Trump’s remarks Friday night, came several hours after he tweeted that Kim was a “madman” who would be “tested like never before.” 

In response to that speech, Kim said in a statement that he’d “tame the mentally deranged U.S. dotard  with fire.” Hours later, the North Korean foreign minister threatened to test a hydrogen bomb somewhere in the Pacific .

Trump on Thursday tightened its grip on North Korea by ordering stricter sanctions against the isolated country , which would force countries to choose between doing business with the U.S. or North Korea.