Donald Trump’s ‘Split the Atom’ Claim Vexes New Zealanders [Video]

New Zealanders are expressing frustration after U.S. President Donald Trump credited Americans with splitting the atom in his second inaugural address——an achievement widely attributed to Ernest Rutherford, the New Zealand-born scientist hailed as the father of nuclear physics.

The claim sparked backlash from officials and social media users in across the country, with many asserting that Rutherford’s groundbreaking work is a source of national pride.

Why It Matters

Ernest Rutherford, born in Nelson, New Zealand, and educated in Brightwater, is renowned for his work in nuclear physics. In 1917, while at Victoria University of Manchester in England, Rutherford was the first to intentionally split the atom through a nuclear reaction. His discoveries not only defined the modern understanding of atomic structure but also paved the way for future breakthroughs in physics.

While Rutherford made his discoveries abroad, he remains a celebrated figure in New Zealand. His name graces institutions, streets, and New Zealand’s $100 banknote.