Donald Trump boasted to reporters on Monday that he could “do anything I want with” Cuba — a remark that drew fierce backlash online and was slammed as “batshit behavior from the President of the United States” by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).

Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked the president whether his desire for regime change in the communist-led Caribbean island would involve a surprise seizure — like the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro — or a military campaign similar to his war in Iran.

“Can’t tell you that,” Trump replied. “I can tell you that they’re talking to us.”

Trump: "I do believe I'll be having the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form. I think I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth." pic.twitter.com/vOy9OoMgZB

Trump went on to describe Cuba as a “failed nation” with “no money” or oil, but praised its landscape and “great” people who are “very entrepreneurial,” adding that those who immigrated to Florida would be keen to return.

He also falsely claimed Cuba is “not in a hurricane zone, which is nice for a change” because “they won’t be asking us for money for hurricanes every week.” Cuba has been hit by dozens of hurricanes over the years, including 2001’s Hurricane Michelle, which destroyed about 10,000 homes, and last year’s Hurricane Melissa, which damaged or destroyed more than 900,000.

Trump then said: “All my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe I’ll have the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor.”

“Taking Cuba?” asked Doocy.

“Taking Cuba in some form, you know,” Trump replied. “Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth.”

He added that Cuba is a “very weakened nation” with “very violent leaders.”

This is batshit behavior from the President of the United States. https://t.co/kUm8FQa8Tt

This is how fascists talk https://t.co/45o0oRhbia

I can just TAKE it?!?My goodness, he sounds less and less like an American president. https://t.co/eS25MHExNd

Trump sounding more and more like the mafia bosses who got kicked out of Cuba in 1959 https://t.co/5nb7gxHVSf

This is nuts https://t.co/dJMBVDASgq

This is how dictators talk https://t.co/1cIG4U9kOm

Cuba? Why you’ve barely finished your Iran and Venezuela. https://t.co/seABV08TH7

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