In a lengthy and erratic press conference at the G7 Summit in France, a gruff-sounding Donald Trump tried to sell his Iran deal to the world. Over 40 minutes of stream-of-consciousness opening comments, he criticized Israel, praised Vladimir Putin, and repeatedly said he did not want to be another Herbert Hoover—the President who led America into the Great Depression.
Trump's Meandering Preamble
During his meandering preamble, Trump thanked President Xi of China and Russia's Vladimir Putin for remaining neutral during the conflict. "They could have made it very difficult for us," he said. He also threatened Iran, stating, "If they're not behaving, they get hit again. You know, they'll be hit again 'cause we can do it very easily."
At one point, Trump interrupted himself to try and swat a fly on the podium. "I wanted to get that sucker," he grumbled. "I missed. I hate missing."
Health Speculations and the Iran Deal
Trump's health has been a subject of speculation since his arrival in Evian, after he appeared tired and sluggish during the first day, with bruising on his hand covered up with an unusually thick layer of makeup. On this day, he delivered his lengthy press conference with a croaky voice, occasionally sniffing.
America has still not released the text of the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran that led to Trump ordering the withdrawal from the Strait of Hormuz. However, Trump seemed to downplay the signing of the document, which he is expected to leave Vice President JD Vance to handle. "This is a memorandum of understanding. It might not be the kind of document I should be signing," he said. "If it doesn't work out, I'm blaming JD."
When asked how the deal permanently achieves his goal of ending Iran's nuclear program, given that leaked drafts barely mention it, Trump responded, "If it's not permanently, we will bomb them. They will be bombed, just like I bombed them on Wednesday night, and Tuesday night and was going to bomb them on Thursday night at a level that was three times greater. And they knew that."
Criticism of Israel and Sympathy for Lebanon
Several times, Trump expressed sympathy for Lebanon while criticizing Israel, saying the war in Lebanon had been a source of tension with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I say, 'You can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that's from Hezbollah,'" Trump said. He said he feels bad for Lebanon, adding that it was "a great culture." "It was an incredible culture, maybe the highest in the Middle East, for years and years, centuries," Trump said. "And for the last 50, 60 years, they have been just trashed."
Deal Details and Economic Fears
Trump denied suggestions that the deal will include a $300 billion reconstruction fund, topped up by Iran's Middle East neighbors, to rebuild the country after America's bombardment. JD Vance had appeared to confirm that part of the deal in a TV appearance yesterday. "JD made a statement. It was a perfect statement, and they reported it in a very strange way. But that's because that's why it's fake news, I guess," Trump said, stressing that while Iran needed money to recover, America would not be sending any.
"My whole life is all about deals," Trump mused, apparently to himself, adding that sometimes "crazy things happen with deals." But he added, "We are going to most likely sign a deal." He said Iran wants "to sign a deal, and they've been acting very appropriately." Exactly what the deal entails is a matter of confusion since Trump and his administration have refuted publicly reported details without providing concrete details they say are correct.
Trump also said a copy of the deal would be released and that the US sent a copy to Israel. After complaining for months that US allies were doing too little to help in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Trump quickly shifted to praise for their support of a deal. "The past two days have provided a chance to discuss the details of this historic agreement with many of our closest friends and allies, including the G7 nations and many presidents and prime ministers," Trump said in remarks at the summit. It comes after US allies issued a statement welcoming the framework of a deal to extend the US-Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said, "They all put out statements saying they love this deal, because they want to see it over." The president suggested that fears of a weakening US economy were a big driver for the administration's work to negotiate an initial deal to end the Iran war. "Every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the stock market shot up like a rocket ship," Trump said. "The stock market is more brilliant than anybody there is."
Trump also said that the "one thing I didn't want to see is, I didn't want to see economic catastrophe." He said that "could have happened" if the war had continued. "The one president I did not want to be was the late, great Herbert Hoover," Trump said, referring to the president whose policies helped exacerbate the Great Depression.
Macron's Defense of Diplomacy
French President Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to roll out the red carpet for Trump, including a dinner at the Palace of Versailles later Wednesday. "Versailles is a diplomatic tool and an instrument of influence," Macron said. Using a soccer analogy, Macron said he approaches diplomacy like the French national team: "Whether I'm playing at home or away, my goal is to score goals. And when I host other teams, I try to give them a nice welcome."
Macron said he has "always trusted President Trump" because they both have "always spoken frankly." That applies on US tariffs issues, Macron said, after Trump threatened 100% tariff on French wines unless a European digital tax is dropped. Macron is still seeking a compromise that would avoid US tariffs from taking effect. "Partners should never impose tariffs on one another or create instability," Macron said.
