Nelson Mayor responds to Donald Trump’s claim America split the atom in speech
President Donald Trump raises his fist after being sworn in as the 47th President.
Photo: AFP/SAUL LOEB
The Mayor of Nelson has fact-checked [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/539494/watch-donald-trump-s-full-2025-inauguration-speech-with-the-full-text newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump’s claim an American split the atom.
The atom was first split by Kiwi Sir Ernest Rutherford, orginally from Nelson, in 1917 at Victoria University of Manchester in England.
But during Trump’s inauguration speech, he used it as an example while he listed off a number of historical accomplishments made by the United States.
“Americans pushed thousands of miles through a rugged land of untamed wilderness, they crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the Wild West, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted billions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand,” Trump said.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said on social media he was “surprised” to hear Trump making claims about the atom in his inauguration speech.
“That honour belongs to Nelson’s most famous and favourite son Sir Ernest Rutherford.