Posted on 03/19/2026 6:24:00 AM PDT by dennisw
Pete Hegseth has declared the war in Iran an overwhelming success while blasting the media and America's allies for 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.'
The Defense Secretary tore into the press who 'want President Trump to fail,' but said that the American people 'know better.'
He lashed out at 'ungrateful allies in Europe', claiming that the entire world 'should be saying one thing to President Trump: Thank You.'
Hegseth's meltdown comes as skyrocketing oil prices have triggered fresh inflation warnings from central banks including the Federal Reserve.
Gasoline has surged to an average of $3.90 per gallon from $2.90 before the conflict began three weeks ago, while the Strait of Hormuz - through which a fifth of the world's oil flows - remains blockaded by Iranian mines and missiles.
US crude jumped by 1.5 percent on Thursday, while Brent crude - the global benchmark - shot up by 5.9 percent, hitting $114 per barrel.
Hegseth insisted the war in Iran - which has so far killed 13 US troops and wounded 140 more across the Middle East - would not be the 'quagmire' of Iraq and Afghanistan, the legacy of 'foolish politicians like Bush, Obama and Biden.'
The former Fox News host told the Pentagon briefing: 'The media here wants you to think, just 19 days into this conflict, that we're somehow spinning toward an endless abyss or quagmire. Nothing could be further from the truth.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
“Hegseth’s meltdown...”
Meltdown?? Really.
I have to hand it to these jackals. They never miss an opportunity to deceive. They can do it on the molecular level.
‘Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran,’ Trump wrote.
‘The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen.’
________________
I like Trump’s good guy, bad guy routine. That makes Trump look the reasonable negotiator, while uncontrollable Israel (dem crazy Jews!) goes bombs away on Iranian oil. Obviously the US knew Israel was going big here. This war with wacko Twelver fundamentalist fanatics has to have some Hollywood in it!
This war is apocalyptic Twelvers vs USA Israel and Saudi Arabia/Gulf states. Rat bag Twelvers are in the way of progress in the Middle East. MBS wants progress and huge mega-projects after Twelvers end up in history’s dust bin.
I don’t care for this iran “war” language.
It is a military operation, one with political, humanitarian & military justification. War would be equally as justified...if it was declared and/or warranted.
But stupid is as stupid does... /s
Oil John Maynard Keynes, who had large gains and losses speculating on the stock market, realized that the economics of an asset don’t determine its price, but the traders’ views of the economics of the assets do.
With due respect to Pete Hegseth, he’d be better served focusing on communicating how we are achieving our war objectives. Maybe its just our “sound bite” news cycle, but ever time I see him on any channel - whether its CNN or Fox - its him making some snarky comment about the press. He needs to lay off that. He’s a good communicator. Use his skills to get across how the war is a success. Not just say it is a success. He comes across as angry and defensive.
Maybe if all those whining about a temporary spike in gasoline prices were victimized by Muslim terrorists, they would change their mind? I say a bit higher prices on things is a bargain.
Ukraine is a quagmire.
Iran is a few weeks of magnificent ass kicking.
I would rather see it as a “one-off” meltdown than a portent of the way Hegseth is gonna be from now on, and even more so, perhaps, if the war crosses the line into looking and feeling like the “forever war” Trump said he would never be part of....if it gets close to that point, it looks like it could be something that bad, or even worse. I can see Israel being allowed to “take the initiative” and tragically perhaps, treat Iran like they have Gaza-—this would not absolve the USA and Trump from responsibility, in fact, since our fates seem linked permanently, it might be the worst possible scenario for both of us—it’s clear this is the partnership Trump and Netanyahu are forging. And no, I don’t think it’s a meltdown, either. I just think it’s becoming Hegseth’s dominant personality trait. I don’t like him.
Same with their misuse of the word ‘democracy’ when they describe our government instead of republic. Gets on my nerves. Or how every weapon is a Glock or an assault rifle. Clip versus magazine. The list goes on and on...
They are incapable of higher thought.
Which is why the LSM is trying so hard 24/7 to spread FUD, tank the markets and economies - all to get Trump.
They aren’t misusing the word democracy. It’s purposeful.
We can’t hate the media enough.
Also, with the narratives:
“New WAVE of Iranian strikes!”
“Iran retaliates against the US!”
“Iran counterstrikes hitting US bases!”
...blah blah.
They make it sound as though there’s some sort of equality going on. As though the US military might not succeed.
When was the last time such a conflict resulted in one side having a half-dozen deaths while the other has 1000’s? The extent of the lopsidedness is staggering, not just in casualties but in capability inequality. You wouldn’t know it if you just listened to them.
Yep. To them, that is one of the biggest indictments of any non-Leftist they can construct. A complete non-sequitur to their story, but when you have a shoehorn, you have to use it to pack everything in that you can.
Never underestimate the DMs ability to exaggerate/out and out LIE......after all......remember, it’s all about the CLICKS.
Did you actually watch this video clip?
He listed the successes of the Iran war very succinctly. Then chastised the press for basically lying about HOW successful this war has been in such a short period of time.
It was a classic bitch slapping.
“explodes” “meltdown” “claims”
F the Mail. I watched this so-called meltdown. All he did was call out the sniveling little rats in the press core for their relentless bad reporting.
Check
The media is turning into Walter Cronkite with Iran.
This is how you lose a war and elections, because the media is compromised.
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