In a startling chain of events, President Donald Trump reportedly decided to bomb Iran after watching Fox News coverage praising Israel’s military strikes on the country earlier this month. According to New York Times reporter Helene Cooper, Trump’s decision came just a day after Israel launched its June 13 attack on Iranian targets.
Speaking on MSNBC’s All In With Chris Hayes, Cooper revealed that Pentagon and Trump administration officials told her Trump had initially maintained his “America First” stance, resisting involvement. However, everything changed the next morning.
“One official told me that it started as early as the next morning when President Trump woke up and watched Fox News,” Cooper said. “He saw how well Israel was being presented for hitting Iranian sites, killing nuclear scientists, and taking out military commanders. It was shown as a big victory.”
Cooper claimed Trump was drawn in by the praise and wanted to “get in on the action.” She added that Trump even started claiming credit for Israel’s actions. A social media post from June 17, in which Trump said “We” have taken control of Iran’s airspace, reportedly reflected this mindset.
His pivot toward military intervention was reportedly solidified during a follow-up meeting with his national security advisers, where the decision to strike Iran took shape.
The revelations raise new concerns about the role media influence played in shaping presidential military decisions.