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highplainsdem

(61,769 posts) Mon Mar 16, 2026, 10:47 AM Monday

Trump draws backlash for comment on Iran war: 'Maybe we shouldn't even be there' [View all]

Source: Guardian

Donald Trump drew a backlash on Sunday for suggesting US efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz were unnecessary – and that “maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all” because his country has plenty of oil of its own.

The president made the contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with European and Nato allies to enter the war in Iran to help the US secure the strait amid the largest oil supply disruption in history.

“Really, I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory – because it is their territory,” he said.

“They should come and they should help us protect it. You could make the case that maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all, because we don’t need it. We have a lot of oil. We’re the number one producer anywhere in the world times two.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/16/trump-backlash-iran-war

29 replies

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Highlight:

Trump draws backlash for comment on Iran war: 'Maybe we shouldn't even be there' [View all] highplainsdem Monday OP

So it is about stealing their resources. He did say it would be just like Venezuela. travelingthrulife Monday #1

Nailed it! Resistance1 Monday #2

He knows more about anything than anyone. wnylib Monday #16

Such a stable genius that he bankrupted how many House-Never-Loses casinos? Justice matters. Monday #17

Only a genius could do that and then convince wnylib Monday #19

"...they will rush to help if called on"... pat_k Monday #21

Agree. We can only hope that someone in his wnylib Monday #22

Cool. Dont be there. TACO SSJVegeta Monday #3

He could just declare victory and stop bombing ... SomewhereInTheMiddle Yesterday #28

Whose territory is "their" territory...What the hell is he even talking about? BeyondGeography Monday #4

He means the Europeans need the resources from the region more than we do so they should clean up his mess to get them ChicagoTeamster Monday #10

Substitute "interests" for "territory" and you'd have something coherent BeyondGeography Monday #14

The families of the dead may very well agree with him GusBob Monday #5

How many thousands of innocent people will die? Mysterian Monday #7

More? maxsolomon Monday #12

That was my first thought Delarage Monday #27

Bring hem home and admit you were wrong in starting this war. republianmushroom Monday #6

orange $atan$ never apologize for anything. Justice matters. Monday #18

He demands that other countries jump into his fiasco Bayard Monday #8

You have to wonder how this hits the families of the dead and injured service members. What a fucking moron. Vinca Monday #9

No shit, Sherlock! bif Monday #11

"Maybe we shouldn't even be there at all." MLWR Monday #13

They need to add a "What the Fuck" section to their paper City Lights Monday #15

"...because it is their territory..." BaronChocula Monday #20

He's playing/begging to the wrong crowd EX500rider Monday #23

Great comfort for families of the dead service members Mysterian Monday #24

again mahina Yesterday #29

I've got to hand it to him: Ol Janx Spirit Monday #25

He could just declare victory and leave any time he wants IronLionZion Monday #26