Day 18 and we are no closer to an end to this war than we were on Day 1, even if the Donald believes he holds all the chips. The press conferences, if you can call them that, look like something out of a bad reality show. Here's one of him flanked by Susie Wiles and Mike Johnson as he rambles on about her breast cancer. Probably would be best to have him stick to the teleprompter.
The biggest revelation to this point was counterterrorism expert Joe Kent saying there was no imminent threat from Iran and that the Trump administration started this war due to pressure from Israel and AIPAC. Kent immediately resigned in the wake of this pronouncement, which caught the administration totally off guard, resulting in Trump addressing the media in his own unique way.
Yes, Donald, Iran was not a threat before you decided to bomb them, but now they are as it is clear neither you nor anyone else in your administration, save maybe Joe Kent, had any idea what would come afterward.
The US is now scrambling for additional support as it desperately doesn't want to have to put boots on the ground to free up the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed off. Trump wanted NATO countries to send reinforcements but none are coming. Nor is Japan or China or South Korea anxious to get involved despite having to bear the blunt of this blockade. Most of the oil that comes from this narrow passage is earmarked for Asian markets.
Even if the United States isn't affected directly, it has caused a spike in oil prices worldwide so that everyone is having to pay at the gas pump. It has particularly impacted diesel prices, which will have a big hit on transportation costs. As we know from 2022 that will spike inflation. It hit close to 10% when Biden was in the White House and we saw these stickers plastered all over the place. This resulted in a big defeat in the midterms for Democrats and ultimately "Brandon," as he was affectionately known, was forced to give up his nomination for a second term. Isn't it ironic how history repeats itself?
Of course Donald is not the kind of guy who appreciates irony, nor anyone else in his administration. They all seem think these prices will go down on their own accord and that everything will return to normal once they send the new Ayatollah and his retinue packing. The US and Israel have been trying desperately to take out all the top brass in Iran, thinking that if they cut off the head the tail will die on its own.
Unfortunately that isn't happening. Turns out Iran has plenty of firepower and is making life miserable for its Gulf neighbors. Give them time and they will unleash their terrorist cells all around the globe and the damage will spread, including to American shores where everything becomes a target, including this Michigan-based medical technology company that was hit by a cyberattack.
The markets hate instability and so they are vacillating all over the place. It wasn't that long ago the Trump administration was boasting of the Dow cresting above 50,000. Pam Bondi infamously pointed to the Dow "smashing records" as if this rendered the Epstein files moot. Now it is under 47,000.
Many think this war is a way to obfuscate the Epstein Files, but as Joe Kent pointed out, this war was generated by Israel, AIPAC and the Republican Hawks in Congress who have long wanted to bomb Iran. This goes back to John McCain singing this to the tune of Barbara Ann. Sure Trump is using it as a cover to distract people from the Epstein Files, but the way this war is playing out, it is going to blow up in his face much worse.
As if to add insult to injury, Venezuela took out the vaunted American baseball team in the World Baseball Classic in Miami. Worse, most of the fans at LoanDepot Park were rooting for Venezuela. It was like a home game for them. It is emblematic of how much the world has come to scorn the United States. We saw this at the Winter Olympics in Milan and now it has permeated every international event which the US engages in.
Some Republicans don't mind playing the role of bad guy. Trump once likened himself to Thanos, the arch villain in Marvel Comics. However, Republicans expect positive returns to come from it, not the mess we currently see with the whole world literally turning against us. All because of our steadfast support for Israel regardless of the consequences.
Bibi Netanyahu is only doing this to stay out of jail. He clings to power thanks to the ultra-Orthodox parties that support his war efforts. Otherwise he would have been purged back in June, 2025. It would have benefitted all of us if he had been voted out of power, but instead here he is bending Trump's ear and turning him in whatever direction he wants to take him. We now have to wait until October for the next general elections in Israel and hope that he will be defeated once and for all.
For the moment, Trump has set his beady eyes on Cuba, saying it would be "an honor" to take the country in some form. The blockades have turned the island nation dark with a massive humanitarian crisis. As with Venezuela and Iran, the Trump administration was hoping to inspire revolutions within these countries but his autocratic actions have inspired a new level of hate.
At what point does this vicious cycle stop? With a Republican Congress unwilling to curb his executive powers, our only hope is the midterm elections. Republicans trail badly across the country. The only question is whether we will have free and fair elections given the fear that has spread throughout the GOP that they are in danger of losing the tenuous hold over the country. Trump has threatened to intercede, citing his usual false claims from 2020 as a motivating force to federalize these elections. At that point, the US would be no different than Russia, which Trump idolizes.
Iran is the least of our worries in these chaotic times. We are dealing with a deeply unhinged man who firmly believes his word is law. He openly defies the Supreme Court, much to the chagrin of the Chief Justice who enabled him by granting him "executive immunity" back in 2024. Trump believes himself to be King and expects the world to pay him deference. When it doesn't he threatens more tariffs. An Imperial Presidency is born.
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