President Donald Trump declared that the United States has “militarily decapitated” Iran and sharply criticized major news coverage from The New York Times and CNN, accusing the outlets of portraying Iran as gaining the upper hand in the conflict.
After signing an executive order in the Oval Office to expand workers’ access to retirement savings, Trump described U.S. military operations against Iran in sweeping terms, stating Tehran’s capabilities had been effectively eliminated. “And every day, I read about how well they’re doing militarily. They’ve got nothing left. They’re done,” he said.
Trump further accused The New York Times and CNN of misleading the public: “And yet I read in The New York Times, I see on stupid CNN — which I only watch because you have to watch a little bit of the enemy, so I watch it for a very short period; you have to, you have to be smart — and if you see CNN, you’d think they’re winning the war.” He labeled the newspaper’s reporting “seditious,” adding: “If you read The New York Times, it’s actually seditious, in my opinion.”
The president insisted U.S. military efforts are succeeding: “Everybody knows the facts. We are decimating the country.” His comments come as his administration continues to describe the campaign against Iran as a major success — even as some lawmakers and analysts have raised questions about the scope and progress of the conflict. In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly claimed significant battlefield gains, asserting that Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership have been severely degraded.
During remarks, Trump also referenced U.S. actions in other regions, including Venezuela, praising American military efforts abroad. “It’s so sad,” he said, before adding that he hesitated to speak too positively about U.S. progress out of concern it could affect perceptions: “I hate to even say that, because when I say that, people out watching, they’ll say, ‘Oh, maybe they’ll win it,’ just by the fact that I’m saying, and it’s so ridiculous.”
The executive order signed earlier in the day focused on retirement policy, though Trump emphasized his remarks centered largely on foreign policy and media criticism.
