President Donald Trump used a Thursday morning appearance on Fox & Friends to sharply criticize major news organizations over their coverage of the ongoing conflict with Iran, arguing that several outlets are portraying Tehran as being in a stronger position than it actually is while downplaying the impact of recent U.S. military operations.
The appearance came shortly after Trump posted a lengthy statement on Truth Social announcing that the United States would be striking Iran later that evening. In the post, the president claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded and said the United States would hit the country “VERY HARD TONIGHT.” He also stated that the United States would eventually take control of Kharg Island and other Iranian oil infrastructure locations, describing the move as a way to assume control over Iran’s oil and gas markets.
During the Fox & Friends interview, Trump shifted much of his focus away from military strategy and toward what he described as biased reporting from several major media organizations.
The president argued that Iran’s remaining strength is not its military capabilities but what he characterized as favorable treatment from news outlets. According to Trump, publications and networks including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, and MSNBC have created a narrative that suggests Iran is performing better than reality would indicate.
“It’s just one of those things,” Trump said. “They have no defense. They can’t do anything about it. The only thing they have is fake news.”
Trump specifically criticized reporting that he believes minimizes the extent of damage inflicted on Iran while exaggerating Tehran’s ability to continue resisting U.S. pressure. He argued that some media coverage gives the impression Iran is thriving despite what he described as devastating losses.
The president reserved particular criticism for The Wall Street Journal, citing an editorial that he said suggested the United States was not striking Iran aggressively enough.
Trump rejected that notion, pointing to the scale of recent military operations.
“We dropped $250 million worth of bombs on him last night,” he said.
The president also argued that Iran is eager to negotiate an agreement, claiming its leaders are seeking a deal even if they have not publicly acknowledged their position.
While Trump projected confidence about the military campaign, he also struck a somewhat different tone when discussing what should happen next. The president reiterated that his preferred course of action would involve taking control of Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil hub that has become a central point in his recent public comments.
At the same time, Trump questioned whether the American public has an appetite for a longer and more expansive conflict.
“My preference would be that,” he said. “I don’t know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you.”
Trump suggested that while such a move could be financially beneficial, many Americans may be more interested in seeing the conflict brought to a close.
“I think they’d like to see us come home,” he added.
The comments highlighted a tension that often emerges during extended military conflicts: balancing strategic objectives abroad with growing public desire to avoid a prolonged war and bring American involvement to an end. As the conflict continues, Trump’s remarks suggest that even as he advocates a hard line toward Iran, he remains mindful of concerns among Americans who would prefer a quicker resolution rather than an open-ended military commitment.
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