Donald Trump nearly declared war on North Korea with proposed tweet, Bob Woodward book reveals

Donald Trump nearly started a conflict with North Korea in early 2018, when he proposed a tweet that "scared the daylights" out of his defence secretary James Mattis, a new book claims.

“This is all about leader versus leader,” said Mr Trump, according to Fear, an upcoming book by legendary Watergate journalist Bob Woodward seen by the Telegraph. “Man versus man. Me versus Kim.”

Woodward reveals that Mr Trump wanted to send a tweet ordering US military dependents – thousands of family members of 28,500 troops – to leave South Korea.

It sent his national security staff into panic mode. A senior figure in the North Korean politburo had already signalled to them that any evacuation would be interpreted…