Trump made the comment during a speech at a private dinner in West Palm Beach, Florida.
According to Trump's plan, the US would send the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to Cuba and stop 100 meters from the coast. Then, according to Trump, the Cubans would say: "Thank you very much, we surrender."
Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Cuba and its government with various actions, and as recently as Friday, the United States tightened sanctions against the island nation.
At the end of March, the president stated that "Cuba is next. But pretend I didn't say that."
Friday's dinner was organized by the Forum Club, a gathering place for politicians and businesspeople in Florida, where Trump was the guest of honor.
