Ashley Elizabeth Miller

Trump took a trip deep into the woods yesterday—and is already leaving. Being alone in the woods is good for the soul. Being in the woods with other people is a little different. But it’s definitely better than being in Mar-a-Lago.

Sadly, however, Mr. President left his Canadian retreat a day early. Trump made a show of going, telling reporters the cross fire attacks between Israel and Iran is something he must return to Washington—alongside his Secretary of State Marco Rubio—and deal with. “You probably see what I see, and I have to be back as soon as I can,” he said.

Israel has already killed 220 Iranian citizens; Iran has killed 23 Israelis; and the numbers of wounded on both sides are high and climbing. This evening Israel hinted at attack in Tehran, the capital city, then struck a state news station while the anchors were live on air. Israel wants to wipe out Iran’s nuclear supply, and it’s almost there—but the most deadly stock pile is buried deep in a mountain. The only way to blow it up would be using an American-owned bomb. 

Netanyahu wants Trump to intervene and give Israel the bomb. But maybe Israel should just STOP bombing everyone? Iranians are fleeing the capital city—with nowhere to go. People of Gaza, meanwhile, are starving and wonder when the world will care. Farmers in the Midwest continue to chant love for MAGA—and very might well continue even when gas prices soar due to this blowup in the Middle East. 

Trump’s MAGA party is split on the issue of supporting Israel. MAGA Republicans say “America First!” Only protect our country! Put America first! That’s what Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon are shouting. But Israel-hardliners want Trump to OK the use of the bomb to help Israel knock out Iran’s nuclear supply. 

When the fighting between Israel and Iran began a few days ago, Iran and America were supposed to talk about Iran deescalating its nuclear program. But Iran then accused America of being complicit in Israel’s audacious attack. And it makes sense; America evacuated its officials from the country right before Israel started blasting it. 

So what will Trump do? Which side of his Republican wing will he appease to? If he does OK Israel’s use of the big bomb, will Bannon and Carlson bash him? Will they come up with a reason why it’s OK? Will they retaliate? Will Trump then banish them into obscurity? These are questions only the future can answer. 

What we do know is Trump posted on his truth social today: Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. Period. (Or something like that. I hate reading his tweets. Or Truth Social Posts. Whatever you call them. They make me feel stupider.)

Meanwhile, Israel continues to attack. But Iran has changed its tune—with officials saying they are willing to restart talks with America about deescalating its nuclear program. Will Israel stop so that the talks can proceed? Or will it keep bombing until Trump has no choice but to cave and give them access to the bomb? 

Will the ayatollah be dead in the morning? Another regime change? Netanyahu said it’s possible today. What’s that dude’s deal? Forcing one regime change—in Syria—wasn’t enough for you? You gotta get two? 

My advice: Be careful—Trump might get jealous. In fact, that’s how his boys Bannon and Carlson should frame the situation: if you give Israel access to this bomb, you’re going to cede title of the most deadly world leader in the early 21st century. Do you want that?

I bet it’d work. Nothing more that Trump hates than being second best at being the worst.