Reality doesn't matter to Trump

With Iran war, reality doesn’t matter to Trump
The war will end when Trump feels it in his bones. In the meantime, he says everything is fine

By Brian Karem
White House columnist
Published March 14, 2026 9:00AM (EDT)


(Salon) For the last year Donald Trump has told us that he’s made life safe for democracy, and more affordable and better all around. During his record-long State of the Union address on Feb. 24, he told us that our economy was strong, gas prices were $1.85 a gallon and the stock market was above 50,000 for the first time. “When I came back our country was dead. Now it’s the hottest country on the planet,” he said in what has become the standard stump speech pickup line.

Three weeks later, the average price of gas is $3.60 a gallon. The Dow Jones Industrial average closed down another 739 points Thursday at 46,677, a loss of more than 9% since the State of the Union. On Friday it was down another 119 points, finishing at 46,558.

In response, Trump told us this week that high gas prices were fine, even “patriotic,” and that everything will be fine with the stock market. Remain calm.

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But facts are always in question with Trump and never settled. Those who currently work for him and those who used to work for him both count on and are fearful of this particular quirk in Trump’s personality. Some, like Stephen Miller and Susie Wiles, have learned how to ride the waves. Others have tried to survive being first ground under the bus and then tossed aside.

....(snip)....

The truth simply hasn’t mattered to this administration, particularly when it gets in the way of Trump’s narrative. The next piece of evidence in that exhibit is what constitutes “unconditional surrender.” Trump has said repeatedly this is a prerequisite for ending the war with Iran. But apparently Iran doesn’t get to decide when they’ve unconditionally surrendered. ..............................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/03/14/with-iran-war-reality-doesnt-matter-to-trump/