Let's talk about Trump unwittingly helping Iran, repeatedly.... - Belle of the Ranch

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about the Trump administration unwittingly helping Iran constantly.

From an administration and political team that's only real skill is understanding branding and being exceptional at using sound bites to manipulate the American people it's astounding how bad they are at crafting messaging that plays internationally.

In Trump's quest to look tough, he is constantly saying things that are actually ready-made propaganda for Iran. But it's not even limited to him. It's multiple people in the administration. They don't seem to understand that they aren't just speaking to people who believe that 2 + 2 equals 5 when the party tells them so.

We'll start with some easy examples that work across cultures. Hegseth recently said, “We know the new so-called not so Supreme Leader is wounded and likely disfigured.” I am sure that tested well in the halls of the Pentagon, but let me ask you this. How does the average American feel hearing about a US soldier who is wounded, disfigured even, and still in the fight? He's a hero, right? The kind of man who inspires others.

That's actually even more true over there. It's especially true when they can take that statement and compare it to the headlines about Hegseth barring photographers from the Pentagon because they didn't make him look pretty enough.

The US is saying he's wounded and disfigured and he's putting out statements making demands of the US. Congrats. You just created a situation where he just told the Germans nuts.

For those in the administration. See, during World War II, there was a big fight called the Battle of the Bulge. That's when it was really cold in Band of Brothers. The Germans had the 101st surrounded and demanded their surrender because they were facing certain annihilation. The American general simply responded with nuts. It became a rallying cry in legend. You're giving him that moment. And even if he later falls, he becomes a figure to rally behind for years.

When Trump says the Navy will escort boats through the straight and then the Navy says they can't, it's sending the message Iran has cowed the US Navy. When Trump says we won, and then Iran launches again, it's playing over there that Iran's military just keeps coming back even after Trump declares them defeated.And every time he declares them defeated, he creates a situation where Iran can be less combat effective and still rally their people.

If you want a recent example of how this plays out, think of the Mission Accomplished banner from Iraq. Trump comes out and says there's “practically nothing left to target.” Sure, for people who get their news via sound bites, they think things are going well despite the Dire Strait, pun intended, of the strategic situation.

But what about over there? Trump says there's nothing left to target. And then Iran launches another missile barrage or hits some ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He is giving them all the propaganda they need to create the underdog narrative.

Tell me you don't understand Persians without telling me. For people who talk about jihad all the time, you sure don't seem to know what it means. It literally means “struggle”. It's not supposed to be easy for them.

These talking points that are completely unforced errors by the administration would be used to rally people even if the current government falls. How can you start an elective war for PR and fail to even get the PR part right? Get some miso guys in the room and run everything you're going to say past them first.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.