US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signs-of-hope-as-donald-trump-says-us-china-trade-talks-back-on-245748">Donald Trump</a> on Monday denied an Axios report that he wanted to drop nuclear bombs on hurricanes before they made landfall in the United States, calling it "ridiculous".

During a briefing, Trump asked if it would be possible to disrupt <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-barry-makes-landfall-in-louisiana-weakens-to-tropical-storm-235627">hurricanes forming off</a> the coast of Africa by dropping a nuclear bomb in the eye of the storm, a report on the Axios website said on Sunday.

According to an anonymous source, the news website said that attendees left the hurricane briefing thinking, "What do we do with this?"

Axios did not say when this conversation took place.&nbsp;

But Trump slammed the story, calling it "fake news," in his latest swipe at the media.

"The story by Axios that President Trump wanted to blow up large hurricanes with nuclear weapons prior to reaching shore is ridiculous. I never said this. Just more FAKE NEWS!" he tweeted.

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The story by Axios that President Trump wanted to blow up large hurricanes with nuclear weapons prior to reaching shore is ridiculous. I never said this. Just more FAKE NEWS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1165918301932916736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The White House declined to comment on the report earlier, but Axios quoted a senior administration official as saying Trump's "objective is not bad."

Axios said the president had previously made a similar suggestion in a 2017 conversation, asking a senior official whether the administration should bomb hurricanes to prevent them making landfall.

Trump did not specify in 2017 that nuclear bombs be used.

The idea of bombing hurricanes is not a new one -- and was originally proposed by a government scientist in the 1950s under President Dwight Eisenhower.

Since then it has continued to pop up, even though scientists agree it would not work. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a page dedicated to the concept.

"During each hurricane season, there always appear suggestions that one should simply use nuclear weapons to try and destroy the storms," the NOAA said.

Not only would a bomb not alter a storm, the winds would quickly spread radioactive fallout over nearby land, NOAA added.

"Needless to say, this is not a good idea," said NOAA.

The US is regularly pummeled by hurricanes. In 2017 one named Harvey became the strongest hurricane to make landfall in 12 years. 
Twitter lit up with reactions to the Axios story, with many users appearing shocked.

"Not 'The Onion,'" one user wrote, referring to the satirical news publication known for outlandish headlines.

"What could possibly go wrong?" asked another.

Many tweets also included the hashtag&nbsp;

#ThatsHowTheApocalypseStarted.

Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris weighed in as well, tweeting, "Dude's gotta go."

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied an Axios report that he wanted to drop nuclear bombs on hurricanes before they made landfall in the United States, calling it "ridiculous".

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied an Axios report that he wanted to drop nuclear bombs on hurricanes before they made landfall in the United States, calling it "ridiculous". During a briefing, Trump asked if it would be possible to disrupt hurricanes forming off the coast of Africa by dropping a nuclear bomb in the eye of the storm, a report on the Axios website said on Sunday. According to an anonymous source, the news website said that attendees left the hurricane briefing thinking, "What do we do with this?" Axios did not say when this conversation took place. But Trump slammed the story, calling it "fake news," in his latest swipe at the media. "The story by Axios that President Trump wanted to blow up large hurricanes with nuclear weapons prior to reaching shore is ridiculous. I never said this. Just more FAKE NEWS!" he tweeted. The story by Axios that President Trump wanted to blow up large hurricanes with nuclear weapons prior to reaching shore is ridiculous. I never said this. Just more FAKE NEWS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2019 × The White House declined to comment on the report earlier, but Axios quoted a senior administration official as saying Trump's "objective is not bad." Axios said the president had previously made a similar suggestion in a 2017 conversation, asking a senior official whether the administration should bomb hurricanes to prevent them making landfall. Trump did not specify in 2017 that nuclear bombs be used. The idea of bombing hurricanes is not a new one -- and was originally proposed by a government scientist in the 1950s under President Dwight Eisenhower. Since then it has continued to pop up, even though scientists agree it would not work. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a page dedicated to the concept. "During each hurricane season, there always appear suggestions that one should simply use nuclear weapons to try and destroy the storms," the NOAA said. Not only would a bomb not alter a storm, the winds would quickly spread radioactive fallout over nearby land, NOAA added. "Needless to say, this is not a good idea," said NOAA. The US is regularly pummeled by hurricanes. In 2017 one named Harvey became the strongest hurricane to make landfall in 12 years. Twitter lit up with reactions to the Axios story, with many users appearing shocked. "Not 'The Onion,'" one user wrote, referring to the satirical news publication known for outlandish headlines. "What could possibly go wrong?" asked another. Many tweets also included the hashtag #ThatsHowTheApocalypseStarted. Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris weighed in as well, tweeting, "Dude's gotta go."

Donald Trump slams report that he wanted to use nuclear weapons to break up hurricanes

US House Speaker Paul Ryan, the top Republican in Congress, has told confidants he will announce soon that he will not seek re-election&nbsp;in November, Axios news site reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified sources with knowledge of the matter.

Ryan's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, news agency Reuters reported.

According to Reuters, Ryan's departure have circulated for months.

Politico reported in December that Ryan told confidants he would like to retire after the 2018 congressional elections.

The Axios report cites unidentified friends as saying Ryan, a longtime champion of tax reform, was ready to step down after passing a tax reform bill.

The legislation was President Donald Trump's first major legislative victory since he took office in January 2017 despite being helped by Republican control of Congress.

Meanwhile, President Trump lauded the achievement of the House Speaker and said that&nbsp; Ryan leaves a ''legacy of achievement'' that nobody can question.&nbsp;

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Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly good man, and while he will not be seeking re-election, he will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question. We are with you Paul!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/984066131303583746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Politico reported in December that Ryan told confidants he would like to retire after the 2018 congressional elections.

US House Speaker Paul Ryan, the top Republican in Congress, has told confidants he will announce soon that he will not seek re-election in November, Axios news site reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified sources with knowledge of the matter. Ryan's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, news agency Reuters reported. According to Reuters, Ryan's departure have circulated for months. Politico reported in December that Ryan told confidants he would like to retire after the 2018 congressional elections. The Axios report cites unidentified friends as saying Ryan, a longtime champion of tax reform, was ready to step down after passing a tax reform bill. The legislation was President Donald Trump's first major legislative victory since he took office in January 2017 despite being helped by Republican control of Congress. Meanwhile, President Trump lauded the achievement of the House Speaker and said that Ryan leaves a ''legacy of achievement'' that nobody can question. Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly good man, and while he will not be seeking re-election, he will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question. We are with you Paul! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018 ×

US House Speaker Paul Ryan to retire, not seek re-election

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Donald Trump slams report that he wanted to use nuclear weapons to break up hurricanes

US House Speaker Paul Ryan to retire, not seek re-election