Anderson Cooper 360 Trump On Pentagon's $200B Request A "Small Price To Pay"
Mar 20, 2026
Beth Sanner, former deputy director of national intelligence, offers national security perspective. Maggie Haberman, NYT White House correspondent, explains political and economic fallout. Jeremy Diamond, CNN Tel Aviv reporter, shares on-the-ground regional reporting. They discuss rising gas prices, Pentagon’s $200B war request, drone sightings near Washington, Israel’s strikes and risks of wider escalation.
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Trump Calls $200B A Small Price
- President Trump called the Pentagon's $200 billion request "a small price to pay" while downplaying rising gas prices.
- He framed the conflict as short-lived and necessary to keep the U.S. "tippy top," despite oil hitting $108 a barrel and gas rising 90 cents a gallon.
Netanyahu Declines To Say If Israel Would Act Alone
- Benjamin Netanyahu touted successes and targeted assassinations in Iran but would not confirm if Israel would act alone if the U.S. pulled back.
- He committed to Trump not to target oil and gas facilities after recent escalations.
Assassinations May Empower More Extreme Iran Leaders
- Experts warn bombing and assassinations haven't broken Iran's system and may fuel more extreme leadership.
- Israel targets militia leaders and checkpoints to degrade security forces, but experts call this mission creep.