The Warning with Steve Schmidt Day 74 - Weekend Iran War Update with Steve Schmidt, Ken Harbaugh & Malcolm Nance
10 snips
May 10, 2026 
Malcolm Nance, former U.S. intelligence specialist with expertise in counterterrorism and cryptology, and Ken Harbaugh, ex-Navy pilot turned policy commentator, join to dissect U.S. actions in Iran. They discuss the collapsed ceasefire, distorted government messaging, risks of escalation, military morale and silenced leaders. The conversation covers legal accountability, institutional repair, and political consequences.
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Episode notes
Trump's War As A Short Project
- Donald Trump treats the Iran campaign as a short, contained project rather than an ongoing war.
- Malcolm Nance observed Trump imagines the conflict ended with the initial ceasefire on April 8, ignoring continued naval engagements and escalations.
Language Erosion Fuels An Epistemic Crisis
- The administration's manipulation of language undermines public trust and legal accountability.
- Ken Harbaugh highlighted Pentagon claims that the ceasefire remains in effect even as U.S. and Iranian forces exchange fire and the administration resets the 60-day War Powers clock.
Golden Statue And Military Adventurism Collide
- The symbolic cult of personality around Trump contrasts dangerously with reckless military adventurism.
- Malcolm Nance compared a golden Trump statue and evangelical worship to North Korean-style leader cults while U.S. forces carry out high-risk naval operations.