Trump to Hamas: Return All the Hostages by 'Saturday at 12 o'Clock' or 'All Hell Is Going to Break Out' (February 10, 2025)

President Donald Trump gave Hamas a deadline. “Well, I would say this—and I’m going to let that, because that’s Israel’s decision—but as far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock—I think it’s an appropriate time—I would say cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Feb. 10, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“Saturday at 12 o’clock. And after that, I would say all hell is going to break out,” he said [1].

The video above shows Trump’s remarks at an Oval Office signing on Feb. 10, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register [1][2][3].

”Not in Drips and Drabs”

Trump said he wanted every hostage at once. “I’d say they ought to be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday. And if they’re not returned—all of them, not in drips and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two,” he said [1].

“I think a lot of them are dead. I think a lot of the hostages are dead. I think it’s a great human tragedy,” he said [1].

“I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it. But from myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock, and if they’re not—if they’re not here, all hell is going to break out,” Trump said [1].

Asked about his plan for Gaza, Trump said the people there wanted out. “And if we could build a nice place for people to live safely, everybody in Gaza would do it. They’ve been persecuted, they’ve been—they’ve been spit on, they’ve been treated like trash,” he said. “And as far as Hamas is concerned, you’re seeing the real Hamas now with the hostages.” [1]

“The Beginning of Making America Rich Again”

Trump signed a proclamation putting a 25 percent tariff back on imported steel. “Do you understand what that means? It’s a big deal. It’s a big deal. This is the beginning of making America rich again,” he said [1].

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick credited Trump’s first-term tariffs. “So, when you imposed the tariffs the first time——” Lutnick began, and after Trump said “Right,” went on: “——you added 120,000 jobs.” “You are the President who is standing up for the American steelworker, and I am just tremendously impressed and delighted to stand next to you.” [1]

“Our Nation requires steel and aluminum to be made in America, not in foreign lands,” Trump said [1].

”We’re Going Back to Plastic Straws”

Trump also signed an order on paper straws. “We’re going back to plastic straws. These things don’t work. I’ve had them many times, and, on occasion, they break. They explode,” he said [1].

“And I don’t think that plastic is going to affect a shark very much as they’re eating—as they’re munching their way through the ocean,” Trump said, as the room laughed [1].

”Cleaner Than Anybody in This Room”

He signed a full pardon for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat. “He was set up by a lot of bad people, some of the same people that I had to deal with,” Trump said [1].

Asked if he would make Blagojevich ambassador to Serbia, Trump said: “No, but I would. I mean, he’s now cleaner than anybody in this room. He got a pardon. He’s cleaner than anybody in the room.” [1]

“She’s a Fake”

A reporter said Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, claimed that freezing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would let big banks “scam families.” “Pocahontas. Pocahontas, the fake—the faker. You know, that was set up to destroy people. She used that as her little personal agency to go around and destroy people, and she’s a fake,” Trump said [1].

”No More Woke”

Trump also spoke about the Kennedy Center, where he had made himself board chairman. “So we took over the Kennedy Center. We didn’t like what they were showing and various other things,” he said. “I’m going to be Chairman of it, and we’re going to make sure that it’s good, and it’s not going to be woke. There’s no more woke in this country.” [1]

On Ukraine aid, he said: “Every time Zelenskyy came here, he walked away with $60- to $100 billion. I think he’s one of the greatest salesmen who ever—who have ever lived, by the way.” [1]

“The Penny Is Gone”

The last question was about the penny. “The penny is gone,” Trump said. Asked if the nickel was next, he said: “What about—what about anything. Good luck. The penny is—the penny is gone. The penny—the penny cost this Government a lot of money.” [1]

By the Numbers

25 percent: the tariff on imported steel, and on aluminum [1].
120,000: jobs Lutnick said the first-term tariffs added [1].
107,000: jobs Lutnick said were lost as exceptions piled up [1].
56: subcabinet appointments Trump signed that day [1].

What Happened Next

The straw order became official. Executive Order 14208 says: “An irrational campaign against plastic straws has resulted in major cities, States, and businesses banning the use or automatic inclusion of plastic straws with beverages.” It says: “It is therefore the policy of the United States to end the use of paper straws.” [2]

The hostages came home. On Oct. 13, 2025, Trump told Israel’s Knesset: “After 2 harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families; and it is glorious.” [3]

For Karoline Leavitt on Trump’s Gaza plan five days earlier, see HYGO News’ page on Feb. 5, 2025. For Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin in August, see the page on Aug. 15, 2025.