Just hours after announcing U.S. airstrikes on Iran, President Donald Trump turned to Truth Social and revived his 2020 election fight in a 4:44 a.m. post.
The sequence was striking.
In an eight-minute video, Trump confirmed that the United States had launched “major combat operations” alongside Israel against Iran, framing the move as the culmination of months of pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program. He accused Iranian leaders of rejecting diplomatic efforts, saying, “We sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried.”
Describing the campaign as “massive and ongoing,” Trump said missile sites and naval assets were among the primary targets and vowed, “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.” He also acknowledged the potential human cost, warning that American troops could lose their lives. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,” he said plainly.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
War carries weight. It reshapes economies, risks lives, and can lock a country into years of conflict. Presidents usually use such moments to explain clear goals, outline limits, and calm a tense public.
Within hours, Trump shared an article about Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and renewed claims tied to her past prosecution of him in Georgia. That case accused Trump and several allies of participating in a racketeering effort to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
The prosecution collapsed after Willis was removed over an improper relationship with a former special prosecutor. After Trump won the 2024 election, the case was dismissed. The core allegations were never fully argued before a jury.
Even so, the 2020 election remains central to his public messaging.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly described himself as a “peace president.” He criticized prior administrations for foreign entanglements and promised to avoid new wars. Direct military action against Iran marks a sharp break from that message. Iran holds influence across the Middle East through allied militias and strategic partnerships. Any strike risks retaliation against U.S. forces or regional allies.
There is also the constitutional issue. Under Article I, Congress holds the authority to declare war. Modern presidents have often relied on broad executive powers to justify military force, yet such moves typically trigger legal debate and political scrutiny. Lawmakers from both parties often demand briefings and defined objectives when hostilities begin.
Public opinion adds another layer. After long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many Americans show deep fatigue with open-ended conflicts.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
