Trump’s strategy is to 'seek turmoil' and 'lie about everything': ex-US admiral

U.S. President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Florida, U.S., April 11, 2026.

Two months into President Donald Trump’s war against Iran, one of the key characteristics of the conflict has been a general lack of clarity about its status. From one day to the next, and sometimes within hours, the public is told one thing, which is then quickly contradicted by emerging facts. According to a retired U.S. admiral, it is all part of Trump’s “lie about everything” strategy.

“We were told Iran's navy was sunk, their air force, destroyed,” posted former Admiral Mike Franken on Wednesday. “Their fissile material blown up. Their leadership, killed. Yet, they magically seized two tankers this morning. See Ref A. Subj: Lie About Everything.”

Franken was responding to the latest news that Iranian forces had seized two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This came one day after Trump announced he was extending the ceasefire at the request of Iran, which would have theoretically suspended hostilities. But in an increasingly apparent pattern, the world is left wondering whether Trump’s claim of a ceasefire was ever true in the first place.

First the White House declares that Vice President JD Vance is going to lead negotiations, which Trump immediately contradicts, maybe accurately, maybe not. Trump claims that Iran has agreed to let the U.S. extract its enriched uranium, then Tehran says it’s agreed to nothing of the sort. Shortly after the president asserts that Iranian defense capabilities have been destroyed, two American fighter jets are shot down. While he says Iran holds “no cards,” its decidedly effective closure of the Hormuz Strait has thrown the global economy into chaos while bolstering its position to extract compromise from the U.S. He declared “we won” weeks ago, yet the war still drags on.

As Franken posted in mid-April, “Every statement is a lie.”

Trump’s lies, experts have suggested, likely have a few different inspirations. First, the president’s basic lack of understanding about what is happening from one moment to the next — he simply doesn’t know what’s going on. Second, he’s sometimes attempting to direct a desirable Iranian response, though seemingly without much effect. Third, he’s trying to pacify American concerns about the unpopular war. And finally, he’s hoping to manipulate the market.

As many have noted, Trump tends to make statements about the war that could affect stocks negatively or positively, according to when the markets open or close. At the same time, there have been rampant accusations of insider trading via prediction markets as betters have made over $1 billion placing wagers that are suspiciously timed just prior to Trump making consequential statements about the war.

“This administration is a giant 'pump and dump' scheme to gather riches from market manipulations,” said Franken. “They seek turmoil, and it's a daily occurrence.”

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