President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that first lady Melania Trump has "gotten to know" North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, prompting the White House to clarify that the two have never met.
Trump made the comment at a news conference at the Group of 7 summit in Biarritz, France. While answering a question about Iran, the president took a detour to discuss the country's real estate potential, then pivoted to North Korea.
"I also say that, by the way, with respect to North Korea, Kim Jong Un - who I've gotten to know extremely well; the first lady had gotten to know Kim Jong Un, and I think she'd agree with me - he is a man with a country that has tremendous potential," Trump said.
![In June, Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un met for the third time, at the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/PIKQUDQOH2YXL5JPTGF7M57UP4.jpg?auth=af9d8a1309df4bc95cce5196dd9b7054e20637e7fbb6ba1baf57e47f41f24601&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham issued a statement soon after noting that the first lady has never met Kim.