President Donald Trump took a verbal detour on Tuesday when he tried to find a word to describe how the regime in Iran killed young protesters.

And the one he eventually landed on baffled his critics.

“Young kids. They kill ’em. They kill ’em like they’re … like they’re … uhh,” Trump said as he searched for the right word, then settled on one: “Candy.”

He said, “It’s crazy what they do. They treat them so badly.”

Trump also claimed “nobody talks about it,” although the protests in Iran ― and the regime killing thousands in response ― were covered extensively in the global media.

Trump’s critics were stunned by his word choice:

What the actual fuck https://t.co/LpZuo7UlS4

What the fuck is he talking about??? 25th amendment now https://t.co/Xq7dkzpc96

He has the dumbest metaphors that make absolutely zero sense.

What does kill them like they’re candy mean?

We all know what he's talking about. pic.twitter.com/5PolR0ZZFn

Serious question. Does Trump know what candy is?

“They kill them like they’re CANDY”???Why does he have to be so fking weird

Totally relatable, who among us hasn’t killed candy? https://t.co/MctmWGhFSD

Some synaptic disfunction there with his phrasing: “kill them like candy.” 🥴🔥

Kids are candy?!"...and may every day be another wonderful secret"Trump’s birthday card to Epstein.

“Kill them like they’re candy.”The only thing crazy is Trump. https://t.co/C0QXy2GMlO

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