Based on the evidence, here's the fact-check:

Reasoning:

• Donald Trump did say "I can destroy the country" during remarks on February 20, 2026¹².
• However, the context was critical: he was discussing a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs and claimed that while the court said he couldn't charge $1 in tariffs under AIPA, he was allowed to "cut off any and all trade or business with that same country. In other words, I can destroy the trade. I can destroy the country"²¹.
• He was referring to a foreign country's economy, not the United States. He was arguing he could impose "a foreign country destroying embargo" and "do anything I want" to them economically, but found it absurd he couldn't charge even a small tariff fee¹.
• Without this context, the claim is misleading because it suggests Trump threatened to destroy America, when he was actually describing his economic powers against foreign nations in a trade policy dispute.

Overall validity: 70%

1. WATCH: Trump laments he can 'destroy' a country but Supreme Court says he can't charge them tariffs
2. Trump "disagrees" with Supreme Court ruling, imposes new 10% global tariff "effective immediately"