Donald Trump is facing mounting criticism after a series of deranged posts on Truth Social about Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
Since June 13, Israel has been carrying out strikes in Tehran, initially without direct U.S. involvement.
In response, Iran has launched its own retaliatory missiles, some of which reportedly breached Israel’s Iron Dome defenses in Tel Aviv.
Amid the growing conflict, Trump has repeatedly used his platform to pressure Iran into agreeing to a new nuclear deal with the P5+1,
the group of world powers that includes the U.S., U.K.,
France, Germany, China, and Russia, which has been negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program since 2006.
But his most recent statements have drawn widespread outrage.
In a Truth Social post on Tuesday evening (June 17), Trump declared: “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.
Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to
American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff.’ Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA.”
He followed up with a chilling message about Iran’s leadership: “We know exactly where the so-called
‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there. We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.
But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Credit: Tom Brenner For The Washington Post / Getty Images.
In a third post, he simply wrote: “Unconditional surrender.”
The rhetoric quickly sparked backlash across social media, with many accusing Trump of inciting violence and stoking war for political theater.
One user wrote: “Why don’t you bring our military home and fix America like you promised? So disappointed I voted for you.”
Another posted: “You guys are f***ing clowns. Stop the war-mongering BS!”
“The President is impairing the dignity of his presidency as well as the national honor by this kind of rhetoric,” said another.
Others questioned whether the president was fit for office at all. “Our so-called President is out of his mind,” one user wrote, while another added: “We voted for peace. We got a warlord. Thanks, Trump.”
As the conflict intensifies, Trump’s social media strategy, equal parts bravado and threat, is raising alarm not only among critics, but also among global leaders concerned about further escalation in the region.
