 |
|
|
| Shared Idea |
 |
| TACO 3
|
| In an opinion column in The New York Times on 14 June 2026, referring to Trump turning 80, Robert De Niro said that "the president doesn't listen to advice. He surrounds himself with feckless clowns who keep their positions by supporting his every whim. If I were able to pierce the shell of cruelty, greed, corruption and stupidity for one piece of advice ... I would advise him to get some good advice from good people, and follow it." Dionne Warwick said that he "should start acting like he is 80!" and Gloria Steinem's advice to the president was simple: "Resign."
|
| The MAGA campaign promises included an end to inflation and preventing World War III by restoring peace in Europe and the Middle East. In Ashville, NC, in August 2024, Trump pledged that he would cut energy prices in half within 12 months or a "maximum 18 months." On 26 August 2024, campaigning in Detroit, Trump stated: "Shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled."
|
| On 9 January 2026, Doug Mills noted in The Morning of The New York Times that "Trump views his power to command world affairs as vast--almost unchecked. He told four White House reporters...that he, not international law or treaties, would be the arbiter of any limits to his authority...As the reporters wrote: Trump's assessment of his own freedom to use any instrument of military, economic or political power to cement American supremacy was the most blunt acknowledgment yet of his worldview...Using that rationality, Trump can justify many actions that his predecessors would not have considered: In Venezuela, Trump removed the president and said U.S. oversight of the nation could last for years...Trump would like Greenland to be part of the United States, even if that means jeopardizing the existence of NATO."
|
| The war with Iran started on 28 February 2026. Among other things, channel ABC7 noted Trump confirmed that the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli attacks. He focused on the Iranian government's suppression of popular protest and their development of nuclear power, though he had previously canceled Obama's agreement on that subject. The effects on the economy and world stability have been devastating. If anything, the new leader of Iran is more restrictive of individual voices.
|
| The effects on world oil and the economy have been disastrous as Iran choked off oil flow and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. On 5 May 2026, The Morning reported "the U.S. fired at two more oil tankers that it said were trying to reach an Iranian port. Iran accused the U.S. of undermining diplomatic efforts to end the war." On 2 June 2026, Sam Sifton noted in The Morning that "Trump said that talks with Iran were starting to get 'very boring,' and that he 'couldn't care less' if they broke down." On 20 June 2026, Melissa Kirsch noted in The Morning that "negotiations between the U.S. and Iran were delayed amid fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel later committed to an immediate cease-fire...but the U.S. believes Israel is likely to continue military action in Lebanon...The shaky peace deal and tenuous negotiations have added to the chaos and confusion for ships in the Strait of Hormuz...In his first public comments on the deal, Iran's supreme leader said he disliked signing it 'as a matter of principle.'"
|
| The following day, The Morning noted "the U.S. said that 55 commercial ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz...Iran later said it was closing the strait again...The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah threatens efforts to reach a broader peace." On 23 June 2026, Sam Sifton stated in The Morning that "after negotiations in Switzerland, Vice President JD Vance claimed that Iran had agreed to invite nuclear inspectors. An Iranian official said his country had made 'no such agreement'...The Trump administration lifted oil sanctions against Iran for 60 days, a major policy reversal...Higher gas prices during the war led Americans to drive less and buy more efficient cars."
|
| In The Week on 26 June 2026, "President Trump...angrily defended his agreement to end the Iran war, as he faced criticism from some of his strongest supporters over a pact that makes major concessions to Tehran while achieving none of the strategic goals he outlined when launching the conflict in February...We supported this war, said The Wall Street Journal, 'because a nuclear Iran would be an existential threat,'"..."squeezed by rising gas prices and unwilling to escalate militarily, Trump is leaving the job unfinished." The article went on. "'Iran's victory isn't the most important outcome of Trump's foolish war,' said William Kristol in The Bulwark. That would be 'our defeat.' For eight decades after World War II, we were a superpower that stood as 'the linchpin and guardian of an American-friendly international order.' Under Trump we're a 'bully' that lacks credibility among allies and enemies alike..."
|
| On 2 July 2026, Sam Sifton stated in The Morning that "officials in Saudi Arabia have grown unhappy with Trump, viewing him as unreliable and, on occasion, a risk to Gulf Arab nations." On 11 July 2026, The Morning pointed out that, "since the fragile cease-fire in Iran broke this week, the U.S. has ramped up its attacks, striking more than 170 targets over two days. Those include air defense systems, drone and military storage and a railway bridge." On 14 July 2026, Sam Sifton noted in The Morning that "Trump said he would reimpose the U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and charge a 20 percent fee on goods passing through it. That could more than double the cost of shipping oil through the strait...Trump's threat to impose fees contradicts statements from his top aides, who have said for weeks that no country can do so."
|
| On 20 July 2026, Sam Sifton pointed out in The Morning that "escalating attacks between the United States and Iran could lead to a wider war those two countries can't contain, analysts warn...Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, says that the United States is still open to diplomacy with Iran...Throughout the conflict, the Pentagon has revealed little -- including information about injured troops." Elsewhere in that report, it stated "Republicans in Congress aren't happy about any of this. The collapse of the cease-fire and the resumption of a hot war have inflamed the debate over the president's war powers at the very moment the administration seeks tens of billions of dollars to pay for the fighting. 'That has presented Republicans with a political worst-case scenario months before midterm elections in which their majorities are at stake,' writes Robert Jimison, who covers Capitol Hill: 'They are being asked to vote to fund an unpopular war over which they have had no meaningful oversight, and which they have never voted to approve.' President Trump, for his part, has ignored votes in both the House and the Senate that directed him to seek authorization for the war. Last week he told lawmakers that fighting had resumed under his direction as commander in chief."
|
| On 22 July 2026, Sam Sifton extended the issue. "Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, said the war had cost $37.5 billion so far. On Capitol Hill yesterday, he asked for about $70 billion more...Trump reiterated his threat to bomb Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected nuclear site in Iran. His threats show he is willing to escalate the war there." Sifton then noted on 28 July 2026 that "Trump said there was 'a good chance' that a new round of diplomacy with Iran could yield a breakthrough. Iran denied that it was open to more negotiations." Additional notes in The Morning on 9 August 2026 stated that "Iran issued a list of demands that it said the United States must meet before the Strait of Hormuz can fully reopen...The list includes the withdrawal of the U.S. military from around Iran and the payment of war reparations...The war has depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles to troubling levels and delayed weapons deliveries to European and Asian customers, senior officials say."
|
| Matthew Cullen noted on 11 August 2026 in The Morning that "Trump is eager to declare success and move on from the wars in Iran and Gaza. It's not that simple." On 18 August 2026, Sam Sifton stated in The Morning how "Trump lashed out at Oman, a key Middle East ally, in a Fox News interview, saying he would bomb it if it interfered in the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz." On 26 August 2026, Peter Baker pointed out in The Morning how Gulf Arab states forced Trump "to abandon plans to charge a shipping toll in the Strait of Hormuz" and how "European leaders have refused to join his war with Iran." In The Morning, a note on 29 August 2026 stated how "Iranians are increasingly desperate six months into the war with the United States. Even some who initially cheered Trump's intervention now fear a failing economy."
|
| On 4 September 2026, Sam Sifton stated in The Morning that "Vice President JD Vance disputed that the U.S. war with Iran is still happening, stating, falsely, that 'there is no active shooting.'" On the next day, The Morning noted how, "after months of war, Iran is confident in its abilities and appears determined to continue fighting, according to U.S. intelligence reports." The Morning noted on 6 September 2026 that "the United States and Iran said they had traded strikes on each other's ships yesterday, setting off a new round of retaliatory attacks...The attacks on ships continue to affect traffic throughout the Strait of Hormuz...Trump has called the war 'small potatoes.' For this Gold Star family, the costs have been high." On 9 September 2026, Sam Sifton added in The Morning that "the United States said it had destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at Jordan...The global price of oil reached $100 a barrel this morning. That's nearly 40 percent higher than at the start of the war."
|
| On 19 September 2026, The Morning stated "the cost of the war in Iran was $43.6 billion through Sept. 3, the Pentagon told Congress. Bombs and other munitions accounted for more than 60 percent of the total. (Congressional officials said the figures were almost certainly on the low side.)" And on 21 September 2026, Sam Sifton noted in The Morning that "Trump said the United States would not join Saudi Arabia, for now, in strikes against the Houthis, the Iran-backed militia in Yemen."
|
| The economic issues were addressed by Sam Sifton in The Morning on 24 September 2026, noting that "tax breaks in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill were supposed to help voters' economic struggles. But the act's health care and food stamp cuts are having the opposite effect." At the same time, "Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accepted $4 million in book advances and more than $270,000 in gifts from allies working to advance his MAHA agenda." And on 28 September 2026, Sam Sifton added in The Morning that "an ad repurposed from Trump's 2024 campaign is running on TV stations across the country. Taxpayers are funding this."
|
| The Morning noted on 27 September 2026 that "President Trump rejected Iran's latest cease-fire proposal." In addition, "supplies of precision ball screws have been depleted by the war. Sourcing them is adding months or even years to the production time for Patriot missiles." On the following day, Sam Sifton informed readers that "Iran's foreign minister said he was still waiting on an 'official' U.S. response to his country's latest cease-fire proposal, which Trump has called unacceptable."
|
| To be continued next month....
|
|
|
