Trump's frantic late-night rant claims victory while Iran war falls apart

Roxanne Cooper
21 April
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House, on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 20, 2026. REUTERS Nathan Howard

President Donald Trump embarked on a late-night social media rampage on Monday, desperately attempting to convince the American public that he is winning his deeply unpopular war against Iran. The president attacked news organizations for reporting factually on the protracted conflict and bungled peace negotiations, labeling CNN and other media outlets "LOSERS."

The tirade centered on Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 22 joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump controversially claimed the operation resulted in a "complete and total obliteration" of Iranian nuclear sites, including the Natanz Nuclear Complex, the Fordow site, the Esfahan Nuclear Complex, and Lavisan 2.

However, Trump's characterization directly contradicts independent analysis. The Institute for Science and International Security, a respected nongovernmental organization founded by a nuclear scientist, reported days after the strikes that substantial nuclear material remained at the targeted sites.

"There are residuals such as stocks of 60 percent, 20 percent, and 3-5 percent enriched uranium and the centrifuges manufactured but not yet installed at Natanz or Fordow," the organization reported. "These non-destroyed parts pose a threat as they can be used in the future to produce weapon-grade uranium."

Enriched uranium continues to remain under the rubble at the Isfahan conversion plant, according to satellite imagery analysis.

Trump's claims of victory stand in stark contrast to the reality on the ground. The ceasefire between the United States and Iran expires Wednesday, with peace negotiations stalled. While an Iranian official indicated Tuesday that Tehran was "positively reviewing" participation in a second round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, no decision has been finalized.

The president's insistence that he faces "no pressure whatsoever" to reach a deal contradicts earlier claims that he would end the war within six weeks—a timeline that has long since passed. Trump now contends that what appeared to be a broken promise was actually military success, but that he refuses to be "rushed" into accepting unfavorable terms.

The Iran war has become increasingly unpopular with the American public. Recent polling shows that two-thirds of Americans blame Trump directly for skyrocketing gas prices tied to the conflict. Meanwhile, the human cost continues to grow, with six U.S. Army service members having been killed in the ongoing operations.

Trump's Monday tirade extended beyond Iran policy, with the president attacking major news organizations for covering the war's stalled progress.

"If you read the Fake News, like The Failing New York Times, the absolutely horrendous and disgusting Wall Street Journal, or the now almost defunct, fortunately, Washington Post, you would actually think we are losing the War," Trump posted.

He further claimed that "the Anti-America Fake News Media is rooting for Iran to win," accusing journalists of undermining military efforts through factual reporting.

Regarding peace negotiations, Trump offered only sweeping rhetoric without substantive details. He promised a nuclear deal "FAR BETTER than the JCPOA," the Iran nuclear agreement negotiated under the Obama-Biden administrations, which he characterized as "one of the Worst Deals ever made."

However, as of Tuesday, the status of negotiations remained unclear, with no confirmed timeline for resolution and significant daylight remaining between U.S. and Iranian negotiating positions.

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