Donald Trump reportedly threw such a tantrum during a tense rescue operation in Iran that his aides banished him from the room as they were briefed.
Senior administration officials told Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal that Trump became highly agitated after learning two airmen were missing when their fighter jet was brought down. His reaction was described as prolonged and disruptive, so much so that aides barred him from the room handling the crisis, opting instead to brief him at intervals, officials revealed to the Journal.
Even before the crash, Trump had been intent on avoiding comparisons to the Iran Hostage Crisis and the failed rescue effort under Jimmy Carter, which was widely seen as politically damaging. “If you look at what happened with Jimmy Carter…with the helicopters and the hostages, it cost them the election,” Trump said in March, according to the Journal. “What a mess.”
After the downing of the F-15E Strike Eagle, Trump reportedly worried the situation could shape how his presidency would be judged. He urged immediate action to recover the crew, while military officials emphasized the need to assess terrain where U.S. forces had not operated in decades.
The pilot was recovered later that day, but efforts to reach the second crew member stretched over two days, ending with a successful recovery by U.S. forces.
During the wait, Trump was said to vent frustration in the West Wing, focusing on rising gas prices—then averaging $4.09—and criticizing European allies for not joining the conflict with Iran launched alongside Israel on Feb. 28.
If Donald Trump can’t be in the room for military operations, he certainly can’t be President. It’s time for the 25th Amendment
For more updates on this and everything else, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber — it really is the best way to support my work as an independent journalist.
