I watched President Trump’s speech to the nation last night on the Iran War. The lies and boasts flew thick. According to Trump, America is winning and winning big. Under Joe Biden, America was “crippled” and “dead,” but Trump has reanimated the dead and healed it. (An obvious aside: Trump has a serious Christ complex.)
Once described as crippled and lifeless, America is now portrayed as the fiercest and toughest presence in the region. We take what we desire, and anyone who stands against us will be bombed back to the Stone Age. As the New York Times noted: “We are going to hit them extremely hard,” Trump declared. “Over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong.”
The proud citizens of Iran, whose ancient Persia is a cornerstone of civilization, mean nothing to Trump. The human cost of Trump’s winning narrative is irrelevant, no matter how many lives are lost.
You can find a complete transcript of the address here. It highlights America’s “beautiful” B-2 bombers and their “magnificent” performance. References are made to the “warriors” and “heroes” who sacrificed their lives to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Additionally, families grieving those lost in this conflict are portrayed as urging Trump, “Please, sir, please finish the job.” Each one, Trump emphasized.
Among many disturbing elements in Trump’s speech, the claim that every mourning family implores the president to “finish the job” by continuing assaults that kill Iranians stands out as profoundly offensive to both morality and truth.
Above all, Trump’s remarks revealed his priorities: himself, his image as a decisive winner, the economy and stock market, oil and gas interests, military strength, and taking jabs at supposed adversaries.
One particular sentence offers sharp insight: The most violent and thuggish regime on earth would be free to carry out their campaigns of terror, coercion, conquest and mass murder from behind a nuclear shield.
Though he was pointing at Iran, Trump’s message implies that only one violent and brutal regime deserves to wield such unchecked power behind nuclear protection. That regime, of course, is his own.
Original article: bracingviews.com
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