THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent Trump Humiliated as Viral Exchange with Journo on Iran Backfires Badly
Mar 11, 2026
Paul Waldman, political columnist and commentator who writes The Cross Section, breaks down why Trump’s Iran war failed to gain public backing. He dissects a viral exchange where Trump admitted he lacked facts after blaming Iran for a school bombing. The conversation covers chaotic White House messaging, weak rallying effects, and a tougher press probing the administration.
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Why This War Has Historic Low Public Support
- Trump's war with Iran is the least popular U.S. war in modern polling at roughly 38–41% initial support.
- Paul Waldman links this to a disliked president, shifting justifications, and no convincing case of an imminent threat.
Rally Effect Requires Credible Threat And Popular Leader
- Rally‑around‑the‑flag support depends on a popular president and a plausible imminent threat, neither present for Trump’s Iran war.
- Waldman notes past wars had popular presidents and clearer threat narratives, unlike today's shifting explanations.
Trump's School Bombing Claim Backfires On Him
- The New York Times and other reporting suggest a U.S. tomahawk likely struck an Iranian school, contradicting Trump's claims blaming Iran.
- Trump offered implausible explanations and then admitted he didn't know enough about the incident.