In a Truth Social post on Thursday, President Donald Trump criticized a Wall Street Journal editorial that accused him of declaring premature victory in the conflict with Iran.
“The Wall Street Journal, one of the worst and most inaccurate ‘Editorial Boards’ in the World, stated that I ‘declared premature victory in Iran,'” Trump wrote. “Actually, it is a Victory, and there’s nothing ‘premature’ about it!” he added. “Because of me, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON and, very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran and, to me, it makes no difference, either way,” Trump continued.
The editorial, published Wednesday, claimed the Iranian regime remains a threat and that the war ended with a whimper. It identified “the biggest disappointments” as Iran’s continuing threats to the Strait of Hormuz and what happens to its enriched uranium stockpile, noting Mr. Trump was sending confusing signals about these issues.
The piece praised U.S. and Israeli efforts in degrading Iran’s nuclear program and damaging the country’s military and industrial base with minimal American losses. It described the “demonstration effect” of the U.S. military’s combined arms operation against Russian and Chinese air defenses as having global implications.
Additionally, the Journal called Trump’s rhetoric on the war “inconsistent,” stating that claims of victory amid threats to unleash “Hell” and end Iran’s “civilization” raised international fears and undermined support at home and abroad. The editorial added: “The next test for Mr. Trump will be whether he takes his two-week cease-fire deadline seriously. If he does, and Iran plays its usual games, then he really will have to ‘finish the job.'”
The paper concluded with the statement: “The unfortunate truth is that Trump put himself in this position.”
Trump responded by asserting the Wall Street Journal would “live to eat their words,” adding they are “always quick to criticize, but never to admit when they’re wrong, which is most of the time.”
