Bulwark Takes Trump Calls Iran War an “Excursion” and Brings Up Pearl Harbor To Japan
Mar 20, 2026
A fiery breakdown of a chaotic Oval Office meeting where Iran was casually called an “excursion” and the economic fallout is questioned. The conversation highlights contradictions about military strength while the Strait of Hormuz stays vulnerable. A controversial Pearl Harbor reference to Japan and awkward requests for minesweepers strain allied cooperation.
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Trump Calls War An Excursion And Claims Ownership
- Donald Trump framed the Iran action as an "excursion," admitting he alone decided to start the conflict and accepting its economic fallout.
- Will Saletan highlights Trump bragging about low gas prices prewar and then owning the resulting doubling of prices as a casual leisure term.
Demolished Military But Strait Still Vulnerable
- Trump boasts "we're demolishing Iran" while acknowledging tiny attacks can still choke the Strait of Hormuz.
- Saletan points out the contradiction: claiming total destruction yet admitting Iran retains asymmetric means to block oil shipments.
Surprise At Predictable Strategic Consequences
- Trump appears unbriefed on Iran and the Strait, surprising listeners with his lack of anticipation about simple strategic consequences.
- Saletan interprets this as evidence Trump either never understood the region or was never told by his generals.