Trump chose to go to war with Iran. Now he has no idea what to do. | Editorial
Trump’s mismanagement has resulted in death, destruction, wasted tax dollars, and a huge loss in respect for the United States — all to accomplish nothing.
Donald Trump’s handling of the war in Iran has been so incompetent that he struggled to explain who would lead the peace negotiations, or when they would begin.
As Energy Secretary Chris Wright and United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz were telling the TV networks the vice president would lead the diplomatic talks in Pakistan, Trump, separately, was telling reporters JD Vance would not be traveling because of security concerns.
After some back and forth, the trip was shelved, and the ceasefire extended. Mission confounded.
When the war will end remains a mystery, and not even Trump knows the answer. Despite his bluster, he no longer holds all the cards, as the Iranians have huge leverage with control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s differing account of the most basic facts surrounding the war — such as whether the strait is open or closed, when the war may end, or why the war was even started — has added to the amateur hour feeling emanating from the Oval Office.
» READ MORE: Americans continue to bear the cost of Trump’s chaos | Editorial
Even some of Trump’s most ardent MAGA supporters have soured on him. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson expressed regret recently over supporting Trump and apologized for “misleading” people.
Candace Owens, a right-wing political commentator, said in June after the U.S. first bombed Iran that she was “embarrassed” for supporting the president. In November, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized for contributing to Trump’s brand of toxic politics. “Humbly, I’m sorry,” she said.
As some rats abandon the failed ship of state, Trump has raised concerns again about his mental health with his erratic behavior and a barrage of late-night social media posts on a range of issues from Iran to coal plants in Pennsylvania.
More than two months after attacking Iran, Trump has yet to explain to the American people why he launched the war. The New York Times detailed how he was primed for battle by Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, but this war was the president’s choice.
Since the bombing began, none of the various goals offered have been accomplished. The regime was changed — but for the worse — and Iran still possesses enriched uranium.
Trump makes outrageous threats about attacking civilian targets in Iran, including bridges, power plants, and hospitals. “A whole civilization will die tonight,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. “Never to be brought back again.”
» READ MORE: Hungary’s Viktor Orbán was called ‘Trump before Trump.’ Will the president also follow him in defeat? | Editorial
Fortunately, he has not followed through on such blatant war crimes, but this is not normal behavior for the president of the United States, and should not be ignored.
Trump has also threatened to seize Cuba, Greenland, Mexico, and Canada. After failing to follow through on each threat, Trump appears more like the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf, but what happens if he snaps and none of his advisers stop him?
Trump’s on-again, off-again threats to impose tariffs on at least 10 occasions earned him the nickname “TACO,” for Trump Always Chickens Out.
Through all the bluster, a pattern has emerged: Trump’s word is no good.
That’s not surprising for a twice-impeached so-called world leader who has told more than 30,000 lies since entering the White House.
The corruption Trump commits in broad daylight is even worse. Since returning to power, he has enriched himself by at least $1.4 billion — making him the most corrupt president ever. And there are another two years of pocket lining to go.
Trump’s decision to send Vance to campaign for Viktor Orbán, the corrupt Hungarian strongman who recently lost in a landslide, was a humiliation across the board for Trump, Vance, and the United States. Not to mention, a waste of tax dollars.
Similar incompetence and inconsistency from Trump have enabled Russia to prolong its senseless war in Ukraine.
Between 500,000 and 600,000 lives have been lost in four years of war. Trump’s inaction has enabled hostilities to drag on, while the U.S. military wastes resources in Iran and in helping Israel commit war crimes in Gaza.
Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, while he and Vance lectured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the only hero in this sad saga.
Trump’s mismanagement has resulted in death, destruction, wasted tax dollars, and a huge loss in respect for the United States — all to accomplish nothing. The wars in Ukraine and Iran have left the United States with nothing to show for all of its military might except higher gas prices.
It should be painfully obvious by now that there is a difference between electing a president who is thoughtful, experienced, and surrounds themself with dedicated public servants and Trump.
Former President Barack Obama had a team of professional diplomats negotiate with Iran over 20 months on a nuclear deal. The agreement required Iran to limit its nuclear program in return for economic sanction relief.
Trump withdrew from the deal in his first term in office and reimposed the sanctions. Iran returned to its nuclear activity. Trump created this entire mess.
Instead of a nuclear treaty, the U.S. is at war, and gas is more than $4 a gallon.
Now, the world watches: Can the U.S. get a deal that’s even close to Obama’s nuclear agreement?
Don’t hold out much hope from the inexperienced brain trust of Vance, Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and New York real estate tycoon Steve Witkoff. Trump doesn’t know who is getting on the plane, let alone anything about the substance of a deal.
