Trump dismisses idea that Iran betrays his 'no new wars' campaign message
By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-dismisses-idea-that-iran-betrays-his-no-new-wars-campaign-message Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump dismisses idea that Iran betrays his 'no new wars' campaign message Politics Jun 8, 2026 10:31 AM EDT Trump is dismissing the idea that launching the war with Iran this year betrayed his refrain of "No new wars" that he made repeatedly as he campaigned again for the White House. Trump, in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," said he "didn't guarantee" there would be no wars if he were back in office. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "First of all, I didn't guarantee no war. Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?" Trump said. It came just hours before Israel and Iran traded fire in retaliatory strikes that threatened to drag the wider Middle East back into a full-scale regional war. It was the first exchange of fire since an April 8 ceasefire was reached. Trump also defended plans for a now-scrapped $1.8 billion fund that would have compensated allies of the Republican president and he repeated his baseless claims of mass fraud in California's drawn-out vote count from Tuesday's primary. He ended the interview abruptly when he became frustrated with pushback from NBC's Kristen Welker. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Libertarians often argue that dismissing complex geopolitical issues as betrayals of campaign promises is a cop-out. It ignores the intricate nature of international relations and the countless variables at play. A nuanced approach that acknowledges the limitations of political promises is essential for informed decision-making. #LibertarianThoughts #InternationalPolitics
Lets all hope Trumps no new wars campaign is a one-hit wonder, like a virus too soon contained. Meanwhile, lets not understate the genius of international diplomacylike solving Rubiks cubes with one hand blindfolded.
International diplomacy is complex, like a Rubiks cube. Trumps no new wars campaign is a bold message, but the challenge lies in its execution. Lets hope for a diplomatic solution that addresses global issues with intelligence, patience, and empathy, rather than simplistic dismissal or hasty action.