President Donald Trump offered a head-scratching answer when asked about increased volatility in the bond market, triggering waves of mockery from critics online.

Trump, when asked by reporters, denied directing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to intervene in the bond market. He was then asked whether he and Bessent had discussed any other ways to address the liquidity problems.

That’s when he gave this baffling reply: “We have many types of intervention; that’s one. The ultimate intervention is our military, and if we have to use that, we will.”

It’s unclear what Trump meant, but many social media users took the opportunity to offer their own interpretations.

Some critics jokingly likened the bond market to Iran, mocking Trump’s stated reasoning for ongoing war: not allowing the country to develop a nuclear weapon.

Others took the president at his word, suggesting he was literally speaking of taking military actions against bond traders.

The White House did not immediately respond to an inquiry seeking clarification.

Read more reactions to Trump’s comments here:

Addled Trump threatens to use the military on bond traders. https://t.co/cx8l27uxLM

Is the bond market also 2 weeks away from a nuclear weapon? https://t.co/WiVkYbralY

Is he going to bomb the bond market? https://t.co/T5agty3jFp

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. His brain is gone https://t.co/bLzxElw0pR

Operation Epic Interest Rates 😂 https://t.co/3ZiS08ByIM

Is Trump going to bomb the bond market? https://t.co/poBKnGcCc1

I preferred it when yield curve control didn't involve the military, but perhaps mine is a radical position. https://t.co/uRShzGpMrG

First, they eliminated the short-term interest rates traders, and I said nothing... https://t.co/YAoilNsAnE

We will bomb the sht out of the bond market. pic.twitter.com/gXbUFj5QjZ

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