Donald Trump claimed in his inauguration speech that the US was the first to split the atom - despite the fact that Kiwi Ernest Rutherford was the first to
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said on social media he was "surprised" to hear Trump making claims about the atom in his inauguration speech. "That honour belongs to Nelson's most famous and favourite son Sir Ernest Rutherford. [embed https://www.facebook.com/honnicksmith/posts/pfbid02ndf7Lsz8sizpqQXLgCcRrmE9iAYs7tWmqkYPVFh6LmhUyDGMHuVYMRZixXMv1xfcl
Donald Trump vexed New Zealanders on the first day of his presidency after he claimed that America split the atom – a feat achieved by Sir Ernest Rutherford from Nelson in New Zealand.
New Zealand is defending one of the most significant accomplishments by one of its people against claims from newly sworn-in United States President Donald Trump that an American was the first to split the atom.