In a startling revelation, journalist and Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough has disclosed the contents of a private telephone conversation with President Donald Trump, which occurred merely hours before the United States launched military strikes against Iran. The discussion, which took place on Friday afternoon, centred on the escalating tensions between the two nations, with Trump expressing a resolute stance towards the Middle Eastern country.
Trump's Determination in Private Call
Scarborough recounted the exchange during his Saturday broadcast, stating, "I spoke to the president late yesterday afternoon and he seemed far more determined that Iran had been a menace to the United States for over four decades." The president reportedly emphasised that Iran had functioned as "the epicentre of terrorism" and asserted that "they had to be taken out." These private comments closely mirror the public address Trump delivered from his Mar-a-Lago residence in the early hours of Saturday morning, at approximately 2:30 AM.
Public Justification for Military Action
In his official statement, President Trump declared, "Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world." He further justified the strikes as a necessary measure to protect American interests "by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people." Trump elaborated on historical grievances, citing the 1979 seizure of the US embassy in Tehran and the hostage crisis, alongside recent provocations.
"The regime’s proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes," Trump explained. He concluded with a firm warning: "It’s been mass terror, and we’re not gonna put up with it any longer."
Unexpected Timing of Strikes
Interestingly, Scarborough had initially anticipated that developments in the Iran situation would unfold gradually over "the next three to four days," based on information from negotiation participants. Contrary to these expectations, the Trump Administration executed the strikes early Saturday morning, prompting immediate retaliatory actions from Iran against US military bases across the Middle East.
A Complex and Rocky Relationship
The disclosure of this private dialogue is particularly notable given the historically tumultuous relationship between Scarborough and President Trump. Despite engaging in regular telephone communications, their interactions have often been fraught with conflict. Earlier in the week, Scarborough expressed vehement criticism of Trump's response to a Supreme Court decision that overturned aspects of his tariff agenda.
"Everything he is saying is wrong. Everything is the opposite. It's the most Orwellian thing," Scarborough fumed after airing a clip where Trump suggested that three justices who ruled against him might have been influenced by overseas figures. Scarborough questioned, "Foreign influences? Please. Is this projection? Is this confession coming from the president?"
Broader Context of Criticism
Scarborough's critique extended to referencing a Wall Street Journal op-ed that characterised Trump's remarks as "the low point of his second term." With a smirk, the host remarked, "Please, seriously, I mean, Casey [Kasem] could count down the hits and this wouldn't be the top 40. You would have to go to a year-end 100 countdown for the top 100 shocking things he's said - that may crack the top 10." This incident underscores the ongoing tension between the journalist and the president, even as they maintain a line of communication.
The revelation of Trump's pre-strike comments provides a unique insight into the administration's immediate rationale and mindset prior to initiating military action. It highlights the convergence of private conviction and public justification in a highly volatile geopolitical scenario, while also illustrating the complex dynamics between a sitting president and a prominent media figure.
