President Donald Trump forcefully pushed back Tuesday after a Wall Street Journal editorial described him as a “sucker” in ongoing negotiations with Iran, escalating a public clash over U.S. strategy in the region.
The criticism came in an op-ed by Journal editorial writer Elliot Kaufman, who argued that Tehran has repeatedly secured concessions from the United States, including a recent indefinite ceasefire extension, without fully delivering in return — specifically citing its failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The piece suggested Iran’s negotiating approach has put Washington at a disadvantage.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump rejected the characterization and defended his administration’s approach, claiming Iran’s military capabilities had been largely destroyed. He asserted that Iran’s navy was at the “bottom of the sea,” its air force was “gone,” and its anti-aircraft systems and radar had been “wiped out.”
The Hill reported the president’s response:
He touted June strikes on their nuclear labs and storage areas, which he said were “OBLITERATED,” and celebrated the death of longtime Iranian leaders, including General Qasem Soleimani, “their evil genius who destroyed the lives of so many with his favored roadside bombs.” Soleimani was killed in early 2020, near the end of Trump’s first term.
Trump also noted the Strait of Hormuz is blockaded and “totally controlled” by the U.S., with no ships allowed to go to Iranian ports.
“It is said that they are losing 500 Million Dollars a day because of this — Their Country is an Economic Catastrophe, that is hanging by a thread,” the president wrote.
He hit back at the editorial writer, Elliot Kaufman, calling him an “idiot” and said the entire publication has “lost its way” after publishing the op-ed titled, “The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.”
Kaufman, who specializes in Middle East coverage, criticized Trump for what he described as prioritizing politically convenient concessions over more strategically sound decisions. The commentary comes amid months of tension between the president and the traditionally conservative outlet, which has repeatedly criticized the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict.
“Twice he has announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and twice he has given up U.S. leverage in exchange. Yet the strait remains closed, as Iran’s regime demands more,” Kaufman wrote.
Iranian forces seized two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to state media and multiple reports, marking a sharp escalation in tensions with the United States.
The ships — identified by The Washington Post as the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas — were redirected toward the Iranian coast after being stopped in the narrow strait, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
Public disputes between presidents and major media outlets are not new, but the intensity of Trump’s response reflects the increasingly high stakes surrounding the Iran issue.
For now, the clash appears unlikely to shift policy in the short term. However, as negotiations continue and midterm elections approach, the broader debate over whether the U.S. is gaining leverage or conceding ground to Iran is expected to remain a central political issue.
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Ah, yeah. Keep writing and talking about what you don’t know anything about.
Iran has no real commerce with the rest of the world. They are losing huge amounts of money each day.
Just a few countries are trying to change that by trying to sneak through, but are being stopped.
But those who are against Trump keep saying that some ARE going into Iranian ports.
Where do you people get your information … you don’t tell us!
And we should just take you at your word … your biased word!
Those days are over! We verify … THEN trust!