Any Americans expecting inspirational words from their leader on day two of war in Iran must have been sadly disappointed yesterday. Instead of hopeful or determined oratory, they got Donald Trump essentially performing a shoulder shrug. As he announced the first American deaths in the conflict, Trump helpfully said "that's the way it is" and "more likely coming." Those words had to be comforting to grieving families back home.
On top of that, the public is getting wildly conflicting reports about casualties. U.S. Central Command has confirmed three U.S. soldiers killed and five seriously wounded. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says strikes on U.S. bases killed and injured approximately 560 American personnel. Iran claims U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain were heavily damaged.
Occupy Democrats, hardly a Trump-supporting news outlet, responded with a sense of guttural outrage about the whole unlawful, chaotic mess. They were particularly incensed with Trump -- not only his callous words but his manner -- looking robotic and strangely disinterested. The Occupy site might have been lacking in objectivity but it expressed a sense of shame and disbelief that such an ill-suited man had led the world's greatest democracy into a deadly conflict with seemingly little forethought. Our guess is that many Americans needed to hear such a reality-based message, as opposed to Trump's limp platitudes.
You almost can feel anger jumping off the screen as Occupy opens its report on Facebook:
Donald Trump just posted a shaky video from Mar-a-Lago on Truth Social, looking completely drained, eyes squinting at the teleprompter, words slurring as he mumbled through “condolences” for the three American service members killed in his unauthorized war on Iran.
While grieving families mourn real losses from Operation Epic Fury, Trump’s cold shrug? “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more,” he said, sounding like a homicidal Bruce Hornsby.In the rambling clip, Trump mumbled praise for the fallen as patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice, sent obligatory prayers to the wounded (five seriously so far), and offered his love and eternal gratitude to their families before casually pivoting to the fact that more troops will inevitably die."We expect casualties ... but in the end it's going to be a great deal for the world," he added, vowing to “avenge” the deaths with the “most punishing blow” and promising the strikes will hammer on.
While Trump did stumble through a relatively few words, what he did not say probably was the most telling part of his message, Occupy reports:
He provided no details, no timeline, no congressional approval, just endless bombs, regime-change fantasies, and a guy who looks one bad read away from nodding off. Just more from a dystopian horror show as the president sees military lives as disposable collateral in a reckless adventure that risks a wider catastrophe.Civilian deaths mounting, missiles flying, three brave Americans gone, and Trump can’t muster much more than shrug, squint, slur, repeat. Get some sleep grandpa.
Trump has created a tricky situation for himself and a dangerous one for the rest of us, especially those in uniform. Occupy suggests our president is not up to the task at hand -- sort of like he's not up to abiding by the rule of law, managing ICE and its masked, heavily armed thugs, abiding by court orders, or ensuring that migrants are granted due process before facing detention. From the Occupy report:
Trump seems over his head now, but can’t turn around. He’s gotten all of us into a dangerous game with no plan and no accountability while MAGA cheers and families bury their heroes.If Trump's slurring acceptance of “likely be more” deaths while looking ready to collapse hits you with rage, like and share to spread the word: No more endless Trump wars! Honor our fallen by demanding a stop to all this.
