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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Eva Corlett in Wellington

‘That’s the one thing we did’: New Zealand irked by Trump’s false claim US split the atom

A plaque at the Rutherford Building, at the University of Manchester
A plaque at the Rutherford Building, at the University of Manchester. Donald Trump irked New Zealanders by claiming at his inauguration that US scientists split the atom. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

New Zealanders are not typically ones for splitting hairs, but when it comes to who split the atom, you had better have your facts straight – particularly if you have just been sworn in as the 47th US president.

During his inaugural address on Monday, Donald Trump reeled off a list of US achievements, including a claim that its experts split the atom.

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