'I Was Shocked, Thought People Hated Him': Trump Says Khamenei Funeral Crowds Surprised Him

Published 5 July 2026 · world

'I Was Shocked, Thought People Hated Him': Trump Says Khamenei Funeral Crowds Surprised Him Published By, Last Updated: July 05, 2026, 09:54 IST Trump said

'I Was Shocked, Thought People Hated Him': Trump Says Khamenei Funeral Crowds Surprised Him Published By, Last Updated: July 05, 2026, 09:54 IST Trump said he did not expect Iranians to mourn Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in such large numbers as hundreds of thousands gathered in Tehran for the late leader's funeral. Donald Trump/Mourners at mass funeral of Khamenei in Iran (AP) US President Donald Trump said he was “shocked" by the massive public mourning following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, telling Axios that he had expected a very different public reaction inside Iran. “I was shocked," Trump told Axios when asked about the funeral scenes. “I thought people hated him." Trump’s remarks came as hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Saturday for the start of a dayslong funeral for Khamenei, whose death in a February 28 airstrike marked only the second time Iran has lost a supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

His comments contrasted sharply with the scenes unfolding in Tehran, where mourners packed the Grand Mosalla, beating their chests in grief as Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin was placed on display alongside the coffins of family members who were also killed in the airstrike. Many in the crowd chanted slogans calling for revenge against Israel and the United States, while others carried banners and flags bearing Khamenei’s image. “Our word is one! Revenge! Revenge!" mourners chanted during the ceremony, according to AP. The funeral could strengthen Iran’s ruling establishment as Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the slain leader’s son, assumes leadership at a time of heightened regional tensions. The ceremony comes as Iran seeks to use its control over the Strait of Hormuz in negotiations with the United States over a permanent end to the war. Talks have reportedly been paused until the funeral period concludes. The stage at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla was designed to resemble the congregation hall where Khamenei had delivered sermons for years.

His black turban rested atop the coffin, signifying his lineage as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Authorities imposed extensive security arrangements around the venue, with armed police guarding surrounding streets and mourners undergoing body searches and metal detector screenings before entering. Iran began the funeral ceremonies on July 4, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. While Iranian authorities did not publicly acknowledge the date’s significance, mourners repeatedly chanted “Death to America!" and “Death to Israel!" during the ceremony. At the same time, Trump addressed supporters during a speech at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, where he said, “We knocked the hell out of Iran. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral." Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies will continue through the week. According to AP, his body will be taken to several cities in Iran and neighbouring Iraq before being buried on Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.