President Donald Trump used his social media platform to share a clip of Newsmax's Carl Higbie explaining the capabilities of the U.S. military presence off Venezuela's coast.
In the Monday night "Carl Higbie FRONTLINE" segment that Trump posted on Truth Social, Higbie described the major U.S. naval deployment near Venezuela, stressing its scope and firepower as the Trump administration escalates pressure on the regime of Nicolás Maduro amid allegations the country is a launchpad for narcotics trafficking.
"We just sent 11 warships down to the coast of Venezuela. That's almost 15,000 troops on board," Higbie said, adding that the ships support "well over 100 aircraft" and carry "8 to 10 million pounds of munition, bullets, bombs, rockets."
He noted the capabilities of carrier strike assets, pointing to the USS Gerald R. Ford as a centerpiece of U.S. power projection and arguing that Venezuela's leadership understands the imbalance.
Higbie also cited what he called a U.S. warning order and a broader mission profile beyond intercepting drug boats.
The Newsmax host framed the military posture as part of a larger strategy to deter Maduro and disrupt trafficking routes, saying the Trump administration's focus goes beyond tactical interdictions.
"Striking these drug boats is not the end result," he said, describing counternarcotics actions as a tool to stop drugs "from coming into the country from a declared terrorist entity," referencing the administration's designation of certain cartels as terrorist organizations.
Trump held talks Monday with top advisers about the pressure campaign on Venezuela, with the Oval Office meeting including senior members of the national security team.
Details of the discussions were not immediately available, but came as Trump "ratchets up pressure" over what U.S. officials describe as drug shipments emanating from Venezuela.
During the weekend, Trump said airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered "closed in its entirety," a declaration that stirred anxiety and confusion in Caracas.
Trump confirmed speaking with Maduro, whom the U.S. considers an illegitimate leader, while declining to provide further details.
Sources told the Miami Herald that Trump warned: "You can save yourself and those closest to you, but you must leave the country now."
Trump's decision to amplify Higbie's analysis underscores a broader White House message that the U.S. has overwhelming capability in the region, and that the Maduro regime's alleged criminal networks will face sustained pressure.
On Tuesday, Trump shared a Newsmax story about Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell announcing a $6.25 billion commitment to help millions of American children build long-term wealth through newly created tax-advantaged investment "Trump accounts."
"TWO GREAT PEOPLE. I LOVE DELL!!! President DJT," Trump wrote.
Newsmax Wires contributed to this report.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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