Category: Attack the Press

Hegseth says Iran war is Trump’s ‘gift to the world’ as he berates Europe and Asia for ‘freeriding’ | The Independent

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran as a “gift to the world” during a Pentagon press conference on Friday, while attacking European and Asian allies for declining to participate in the offensive military operations. Hegseth claimed the United States maintains an “ironclad blockade” on Iranian ports and accused Iran of acting as “pirates” and “terrorists” by enforcing its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the bombing campaign that began February 28.

Hegseth mocked longtime U.S. allies for what he termed “free riding,” stating that Europe and Asia have benefited from American military protection for decades while avoiding direct involvement in the current conflict. He derided recent diplomatic efforts by the United Kingdom and France, which had convened a 51-country summit announcing plans for a multinational “defensive mission” to protect merchant vessels and clear mines, calling these initiatives “a silly conference” and “not serious efforts” because they excluded offensive operations against Iranian forces.

Hegseth’s disparagement of U.S. allies aligns with President Trump’s repeated attacks on NATO as a “paper tiger” and his claims that member nations “weren’t there for us,” despite NATO’s mutual defense provision having been invoked only to defend the United States following the September 11, 2001 attacks. As Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s infrastructure, the administration has begun considering punitive measures against allied nations that refuse to join the war effort.

Trump has publicly considered withdrawing the United States from NATO, though a 2021 law authored by Secretary of State Marco Rubio would prohibit such action. A leaked Pentagon memorandum reported by Reuters indicates the administration is exploring retaliation against Britain by “reviewing” British claims to the Falkland Islands, which Argentina also claims and whose libertarian president, Javier Milei, is a Trump ally. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded by affirming that Falklanders have “overwhelmingly voted in favor of remaining a UK overseas territory” and reaffirmed Britain’s sovereignty position.

Hegseth’s remarks follow a prior Pentagon briefing in which he attacked journalists as possessing “hardened hearts,” claiming the press exhibits “relentlessly negative coverage” and “unpatriotic bias” while refusing to acknowledge what he described as the “historic and important success” of U.S. military operations in Iran.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/hegseth-trump-iran-war-briefing-b2964346.html)

Trump Attacks Supreme Court Wall Street Journal Iran

President Donald Trump launched a series of Truth Social posts on Tuesday evening attacking the Supreme Court, The Wall Street Journal, wind energy, and Iran within 90 minutes. Trump announced Pennsylvania coal plants would remain open instead of being replaced by wind farms, which he called “costly and ineffective” and blamed for harming birds, repeating claims that scientists have disputed.

Trump assailed The Wall Street Journal as having “LOST ITS WAY,” targeting editorial board member Elliot Kaufman for an opinion piece criticizing Trump’s Iran negotiations. Trump accused billionaire owner Rupert Murdoch of directing the negative coverage and called the outlet a “failing political RAG.” This attack followed a federal judge’s dismissal of Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and journalists who reported on an alleged birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump posted a 340-word assault on the Supreme Court, claiming the justices he appointed have become “politically correct” and disloyal while Democratic appointees show unwavering loyalty. He criticized the Republican-appointed justices for lacking loyalty to him personally and allowing Democrats to “push them around,” referencing the court’s February decision striking down his tariff regime as unconstitutional and its pending ruling on birthright citizenship.

On Iran policy, Trump claimed Iran wants to open the Strait of Hormuz to earn $500 million daily and is only saying otherwise to “save face.” He stated that any deal with Iran would require the U.S. to “blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included.” Trump’s comments followed his announcement that the U.S. would extend its ceasefire with Iran indefinitely at Pakistan’s request, leaving no timeline for resolving the conflict that began in late February and has caused thousands of deaths and a surge in gas prices.

Senator Elizabeth Warren responded to the ceasefire extension, telling CNN that Trump “has painted himself into a corner and he can’t find an exit,” noting the absence of any timeline on the blockade or war. Multiple recent polls show a majority of Americans oppose the Iran war.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-truth-social-supreme-court-wind-farms-b2962313.html)

Kash Patel Says He’s Suing Over Report Claiming He’s Repeatedly Been Intoxicated in Public While FBI Director – Yahoo News UK

FBI Director Kash Patel announced plans to sue The Atlantic after the publication reported that he had struggled to log into a computer system on April 10, initially believing he had been fired by President Trump. According to the article by Sarah Fitzpatrick, Patel panicked and frantically contacted aides and allies about his supposed termination, with nine sources describing his behavior and two characterizing it as a “freak-out,” though the lockout was later determined to be a technical issue unrelated to any personnel action.

The Atlantic’s report also detailed allegations that Patel had been intoxicated in public at restaurants in Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas. The publication claimed that members of his security detail had experienced difficulty waking Patel on multiple occasions due to excessive alcohol consumption, and that a request for breaching equipment typically used by SWAT teams was made after Patel became unreachable behind locked doors.

Patel’s response came through FBI spokesperson Erica Knight, who dismissed the reporting as “fabricated” and announced a lawsuit would be filed. Patel himself posted on X stating he would meet the outlet “in court” and accused it of producing “fake news,” suggesting the actual malice standard required in defamation cases would favor his legal position.

FBI Assistant Director Benjamin Williamson released a statement calling the article “one of the most absurd things” he had read, characterizing it as “completely false reporting at a nearly 100% clip” despite a tight two-hour deadline provided to the publication for response. The statement was included in Patel’s social media post as supporting documentation for his claims of inaccurate reporting.

(Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/kash-patel-says-suing-over-031725423.html)

Hegseth scolds reporters as ‘Pharisees’ in fire-and-brimstone Iran war briefing after Trump-as-Jesus furor | The Independent

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a Pentagon briefing on Iran operations on Thursday to attack journalists, comparing them to biblical Pharisees with “hardened hearts” who reject truth. Hegseth claimed the press exhibits “relentlessly negative coverage” and “unpatriotic” bias while refusing to acknowledge what he described as the “historic and important success” of U.S. military efforts and an emerging deal to address Iran’s nuclear program.

Hegseth’s attack centered on a Sunday church sermon about Pharisees witnessing Jesus heal a man, which he said paralleled journalists documenting military operations without recognizing their significance. He accused reporters of being “politically motivated” and “Trump hating,” stating their focus on negative coverage rather than military achievements proves they function as adversaries rather than observers of fact. Hegseth also attacked what he called “fake news” for failing to cover recruitment surges and national morale he attributed to Trump administration policies.

The defense secretary’s press conference assault on journalists reflects his ongoing hostility toward media access at the Pentagon, including attempts to restrict reporters from workspace designated for their use for decades. His tenure has been marked by repeated diatribes against the press during briefings conducted with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine, establishing a pattern of blaming journalists for insufficient support of administration military operations.

Hegseth’s invocation of religious imagery to attack the press mirrors Trump’s recent posting of AI-generated images depicting himself as Jesus, which drew backlash even from conservative allies before Trump deleted and later reposted similar content. Pope Leo XIV responded with a statement condemning those who “manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain,” appearing to directly reference the administration’s use of religious rhetoric to justify military action.

The briefing underscores the Trump administration’s systematic attack on press freedom amid broader military escalation against Iran, with officials employing religious language and accusations of disloyalty to delegitimize journalistic scrutiny of war policy. Hegseth’s comparison of reporters to biblical antagonists represents an escalation in the administration’s framing of independent journalism as an obstacle to military objectives rather than a constitutional safeguard.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/hegseth-iran-war-briefing-press-ai-photos-b2959018.html)

Trump Attacks Fox News Over Steyer Coverage

President Donald Trump attacked Fox News on Wednesday for covering Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, whom Trump called a “SLEAZEBAG” and “LOSER.” Trump posted on Truth Social that the network was “promoting” Steyer instead of focusing on Republican candidate Steve Hilton, whom Trump has endorsed to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom.

Trump’s complaint about Fox News coverage lacked factual grounding. His post came approximately 40 minutes after Fox News had already featured Hilton on air discussing his campaign with host Harris Faulkner. Fox News had not run a substantial segment on Steyer on Wednesday but instead mentioned him briefly in relation to his fundraising totals, policy positions, and polling performance against other candidates.

The president appeared to reference a graphic displayed during Hilton’s interview that showed Steyer’s five-point immigration plan while Faulkner discussed his anti-ICE agenda and $120 million spending on the race. Hilton used the airtime to criticize Steyer’s immigration positions as “far-left extremism” and an extension of what he characterized as Biden-era open borders policies.

Trump’s attack on Fox News reflects a pattern of hostility toward the network when coverage does not align precisely with his preferred narrative. Trump has previously attacked both Fox News and Steyer simultaneously, demonstrating a longstanding grievance with both the billionaire Democratic donor and the Republican-aligned outlet that regularly gives Trump platform access.

Trump’s criticism of Fox News contradicts his repeated beneficiary status from the network’s coverage. Despite claiming the channel promotes Democrats, Trump continues to receive favorable treatment and extensive airtime on Fox News programming while endorsing Republican candidates aligned with his political interests.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-bashes-fox-news-for-covering-sleazebag-tom-steyer-right-after-interviewing-his-favorite-california-candidate/)

Trump Posts Jesus-Like Picture of Himself Amid Pope Leo Feud

President Donald Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ performing a miraculous healing on a sick man, complete with religious iconography including a glowing hand, American flags, the Statue of Liberty, fighter jets, and angelic soldiers. The image also featured a praying woman, a person in what appears to be an Immigration and Customs Enforcement uniform, and a nurse observing Trump’s supposed miracle work in a hospital setting.

Trump posted the image approximately 40 minutes after launching a hostile attack on Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff’s criticism of the Iran war. Trump branded the pope “WEAK” on crime and nuclear weapons, calling him “terrible” on foreign policy. Trump also attacked the pope’s brother, Louis Prevost, claiming he preferred him because Prevost was “all MAGA,” demonstrating Trump’s weaponization of family members to escalate conflicts.

The pope’s criticism stemmed from Trump’s threats to obliterate “a whole civilization” in Iran if its leadership refused to make a deal, which the pontiff called “truly unacceptable.” Pope Leo XIV subsequently declared that “God does not bless any conflict.” The pope had previously denounced the Trump administration’s “extremely disrespectful” treatment of undocumented immigrants, establishing a pattern of moral opposition to Trump’s policies.

When speaking to reporters at Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump doubled down on his attacks, stating “We don’t like a pope that’s going to say it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon” and describing Pope Leo XIV as “a very liberal person” who “doesn’t believe in stopping crime.” Trump’s messaging contradicted the pope’s actual position on nuclear proliferation while mischaracterizing the pontiff’s humanitarian stances.

The AI-generated image and accompanying tirade reflect Trump’s pattern of appropriating religious imagery and language to reinforce a messianic narrative among his supporters, while simultaneously attacking religious figures who challenge his military and immigration policies. The juxtaposition of the image with the pope attack demonstrated Trump’s weaponization of faith rhetoric to delegitimize moral opposition to his authoritarian actions.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-posts-jesus-like-picture-of-himself-performing-miracle-on-sick-man-minutes-after-ramping-up-feud-with-pope-leo/)

Trump Demands Fox News Take Jessica Tarlov off Air

President Donald Trump demanded Fox News remove co-host Jessica Tarlov from the air, calling her “a real loser” and criticizing her voice, statements, and overall presence on the network. Trump posted his demand on Truth Social, claiming Tarlov uses “fake numbers” and “fake polls” while expressing his dislike for her work, though he added he was “sure she’s a lovely person.”

Trump also targeted Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream, criticizing her interview with Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss and instructing her to correct Democratic guests when they present what he calls “propaganda and lies.” The president objected to Bream’s characterization of the SAVE Act, insisting it be called the “SAVE America Act,” a distinction he emphasized as significant.

This marks a continued pattern of Trump attacking Fox News personalities who he perceives as insufficiently loyal or critical of his positions. In 2024, Trump accused Bream of conducting an “anti-MAGA” interview with his attorney, and he has repeatedly called Tarlov a “loser” in previous public statements, including during a March appearance on The Five when Tarlov was absent.

Trump’s demand reflects his expectation that media outlets, including Fox News, align with his messaging without independent editorial judgment or hosting of opposing viewpoints. His explicit instruction to “Fox executives” to remove Tarlov demonstrates an abuse of power, using his position as president to pressure media organizations into personnel decisions based on his personal preferences rather than journalistic merit.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-demands-fox-news-take-host-off-air-a-real-loser/)

Trump Threatens Iran War Crimes, Falsely Blames Media for Pilot Leak

During a Monday White House briefing, Trump used a press conference ostensibly about a successful pilot rescue to threaten extensive war crimes against Iran, including attacks on civilian infrastructure like bridges, power plants, and desalinization facilities. Trump falsely claimed that American journalists had revealed the downed pilot's location to Iran, when an Israeli journalist citing Iranian state media actually broke the story first, then demanded the identification and prosecution of the supposed leaker.

Trump reiterated threats to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure after an 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline, stating "they're gonna have no bridges, they're gonna have no power plants" and describing the outcome as returning Iran to the "stone ages." When confronted about violations of post-World War II international law prohibiting attacks on civilian targets, Trump dismissed the concern and attacked the New York Times reporter who posed the question rather than address the substance of the war crimes allegation.

Trump claimed he had intercepted communications from Iranians urging the U.S. to continue bombing their neighborhoods, asserting they would "suffer that in order to have freedom" under his campaign to weaken Iran's government. He also proposed that the U.S. could charge "tolls" for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, framing such extraction as payment for a war he claimed the U.S. had already won, despite ongoing conflict.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spent the briefing praising Trump for ordering a routine rescue mission as if it were an extraordinary achievement, with Hegseth claiming the current bombing campaign represents the "largest volume" of munitions dropped on Iran since the war began. Trump also employed a racist slur during the event, underscoring the press conference's chaotic and inflammatory tone.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected a U.S. ceasefire proposal and stated that Iran is reviewing a Pakistani-authored pause plan ahead of Trump's deadline. Baghaei emphasized that negotiations are incompatible with ultimatums and threats to commit war crimes, and that Iran would release its formal response in due time.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-iran-press-conference-war-crime-threats-b2952604.html)

Karoline Leavitt Fumes Over NYT Slamming Trump’s Ballroom

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project on Sunday after the New York Times published a critical analysis of its design and construction timeline. Leavitt attacked the Times’ writers on X, claiming they had “studied fine arts,” “long written about urban planning,” and “never built anything,” while asserting that Trump and his architect have “built world-class buildings around the world.”

The New York Times piece, however, included a trained architect, a fine artist, and an urban planning expert who documented significant design flaws and structural concerns. The article noted that the proposed East Wing addition is approximately 60 percent larger than the White House residence by floor area and more than three times as large by cubic volume, making it the dominant building of the White House complex when viewed from the south.

According to the Times reporting, the project timeline has created serious credibility problems. The White House announced plans to begin construction in spring while design documents remained under review, a compressed schedule that architect Thomas Gallas stated “never made any sense” to him. He explained that a building of this scale typically requires 18 months to two years from initial concept to completed construction documents.

The article identified numerous design flaws, including fake windows on the north side, columns that block interior views and daylight, and a lopsided appearance that disrupts symmetry with the West Wing. The south portico, which was not part of the initial design, contains no doors into the ballroom, and an unnecessarily large rooftop area was flagged as another concern.

The National Capital Planning Commission was scheduled to grant final approval to the project on Thursday, despite the ongoing design changes and compressed timeline. Trump has previously admitted the ballroom functions as a monument to himself, stating that he is building it because “no one else will.”

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/karoline-leavitt-fumes-over-ny-times-feature-slamming-design-of-trumps-supersized-ballroom/)

Trump Assails NATO as Cowards While Deepening Iran War

President Trump denounced NATO allies as “cowards” on Friday for refusing to deploy troops to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor through which one-fifth of global oil trades. Trump’s hostility toward allies coincides with his unilateral Iran war that has backfired diplomatically, as he initiated military strikes alongside Israel without coordinating with partners, then demanded their support managing the consequences. The Pentagon is deploying approximately 2,200 additional Marines and three warships to the Middle East, marking the second Marine expeditionary unit sent since the conflict began on February 28.

The war has devastated global energy markets and inflicted heavy casualties on U.S. forces. Brent crude oil surged to $112 per barrel, up from roughly $70 before the conflict, with gasoline prices approaching $4 per gallon. The Pentagon reported 232 American service members injured since the war started, with 10 in serious condition. The Treasury Department temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil at sea in an attempt to ease prices, marking a break from Trump’s stated “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran. Pentagon officials have prepared detailed plans for potential ground troop deployment into Iran, though Trump claims the U.S. is considering “winding down” operations while simultaneously retaining options to strike Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal.

Trump contradicted his own position by claiming the U.S. does not need the Strait of Hormuz while simultaneously pressuring allies to defend it. He stated Iran’s leadership has been decimated, with “nobody to talk to” remaining, yet Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and military officials continue asserting they are producing ballistic missiles and threatening to target recreational and tourist sites worldwide. The International Atomic Energy Agency told CBS News that securing Iran’s enriched uranium will be “very challenging” even after fighting ends, undercutting Trump and Netanyahu’s stated nuclear prevention objectives.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized U.S. use of U.K. bases to strike Iranian missile sites, prompting Iran’s foreign minister to accuse Starmer of “putting British lives in danger.” NATO relocated its advisory mission from Iraq to Italy after Iranian attacks on allied bases. The humanitarian toll extends beyond military casualties; soaring oil prices are driving up costs across U.S. supply chains, affecting retail prices for consumers nationwide. Former Iran detainee Siamak Namazi warned that Americans held in Iranian prisons face heightened danger amid the escalating conflict.

Trump made a debunked claim about predicting the September 11 attacks while discussing the Strait of Hormuz, part of a pattern of disinformation throughout the conflict. The White House stated Trump “retains all options” militarily but claimed he has “no plans to send troops anywhere,” a contradiction given Pentagon preparations for ground deployment. As the war enters its fourth week with no diplomatic resolution, Trump’s contradictory statements and hostile treatment of allies underscore the absence of a coherent strategic plan.

(Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/live-updates/iran-war-us-israel-gas-and-oil-prices-trump-netanyahu-strait-hormuz/)

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