During a recent campaign rally in Garden City, New York, President Donald Trump addressed his ongoing military efforts in Iran while discussing various topics including public safety and the economy. Trump criticized the use of teleprompters, stating, "I hate reading these boring speeches," and emphasized his preference for speaking extemporaneously.
He mentioned his military actions in Iran, stating, "I built the military, and now I used it — a little bit more than I wanted to, frankly, but that’s OK, because we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon." Trump acknowledged the ongoing war in Iran, which has lasted nearly six months, and asked voters for patience as he believes the situation will improve.
He compared the situation in Iran to his previous actions in Venezuela, claiming that the U.S. has benefited from its involvement there. Trump framed the discussion around the economy, suggesting that resolving the conflict in Iran would help lower gas prices. He remarked, "You’re at $4 [a gallon]. It’s OK. I mean, I’m not — I’m not, I’ll never apologize. I did the right thing, but you could — you know if you didn’t have [the war] you’d be at, I mean, I had it down to below $2 in many states."
Trump's remarks reflect his attempt to connect his military strategy with economic outcomes, despite concerns from voters about rising gas prices due to the conflict. The speech highlighted his challenges in presenting a strong narrative regarding the war in Iran as the midterm elections approach.