See you are an expert as well . You have all the answers.Not so much so for the 33 Republicans Senators and 435 House of Representatives facing the midterms…& trying to distance themselves from the insanity for the most part. I’d say it’s very relevant to the timing of this pronouncement regarding Iran refusing to capitulate, or Russia running oil tankers to Cuba…& so on with Trump playing it off like it’s no big thing…until it’s 3am on Truth Social when he’s punching out his McDonald’s diet.
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View attachment 33926
Tonight Trump glossed over some unresolved issues that remain during his 19-minute speech, such as the status of Iran's enriched uranium and access through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for global oil supplies which Iran has effectively closed since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on February 28. In that U.S. President Donald Trump told the nation in a televised speech tonight that the U.S. military had nearly accomplished its goals in Iran?
Facing a war-wary American public, sliding approval ratings (which are mentioned specifically here) and pressure from some allies to outline his war aims in more precise and consistent terms, Trump said the U.S. had destroyed Iran's navy and air force, and crippled its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
And yet he notably suggested the war could escalate if Iranian leaders did not capitulate to U.S. terms during negotiations, with strikes on Iran's civilian energy and oil infrastructure possible.
He asked Americans to keep perspective about a war now in its fifth week, pointing out that the conflict was much shorter so far to date than the country's involvement in several previous wars.
"I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America's military objectives (whatever they are today) shortly, very shortly. We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong," Trump said?
"In the meantime, discussions are ongoing...(?)…the new group is less radical (?) and much more reasonable? Yet if during this period of time, no “deal” is made, we have our eyes on key targets…”…like civilian desalination plants?
Who needs a deal immediately and who doesn’t though? Trump and his advisers have offered shifting explanations and timelines for the conflict. Reflecting widespread sentiment that Trump's comments did not portend a short-term off-ramp, stocks fell, the dollar firmed and oil rose shortly after Trump's comments.
The United States is the top consumer of jet fuel globally, and most of the jet fuel the country produces is consumed domestically, EIA data shows.
In prime-time address, Trump tells wary public Iran goals nearly achieved — Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump told the nation in a televised speech on Wednesday night that the U.S. military had nearly accomplished its goals in Iran, but he declined to offer a concrete timeline for winding down the conflict.apple.news
Last week, refiners and fuel blenders produced 1.97 million bpd of jet fuel, which was just slightly above demand of 1.79 million bpd, EIA reported.
About half a million barrels a day of jet fuel is exported out of the Strait of Hormuz, mainly to Europe and some to Asia and Africa, data from vessel-tracking service Kpler shows. Trump told countries struggling to get jet fuel due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war started Feb 28th by the U.S. to just it buy from the U.S., but analysts say there is a major problem with his advice: the U.S. can't cover the global shortfall.
Moreover, most U.S. jet fuel production is concentrated in the U.S. Gulf Coast, and major demand centers along the country's East Coast and West Coast have historically relied on imports to cover their needs.
The West Coast in particular is going to need more supply of the fuel from the U.S. Gulf Coast as many of its typical suppliers in Asia are among those hit hardest by the Strait of Hormuz closure. Asian refiners have had to cut production and ban exports, leaving California in search of alternate suppliers….so Trumps claim is just more fiction.
Trump says US has plenty of jet fuel for Europe, market disagrees — Reuters
President Donald Trump this week told countries struggling to get jet fuel due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to buy from the U.S., but analysts say there is a major problem with his advice: the U.S. can't cover the global shortfall.
Yeah, ok, that too if it makes a difference.
If you were to copy and paste his posts on Truth Social over the last week or so, you would not be far off this address to the nation, but there was little here tonight for those hoping for clear answers on where this war is heading or potential exit ramps for the US. There were glaring omissions which leave a plethora of questions unanswered.
Trump says US didn't seek regime change in Iran, but '...regime change has occurred' — Global News
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday evening at the White House, where he said that regime change was not his original goal while starting the war in Iran, but "regime change" had occurred there because of the original leader's death and the deaths of so many senior...
The President has repeatedly shifted his publicly stated goals and reason for going to war.
Trump leaves key questions unanswered as he seeks to calm nerves over Iran war — BBC News
There were some glaring omissions in the president's primetime address, writes the BBC's Gary O'Donoghue.
Trump delivers contradictory messages over Iran war in White House address — The Globe and Mail
U.S. President threatened to destroy country if Tehran makes no deal, but also suggested he might walk away from the war
Iran War. . . USA Up 2-0 in the First Period
- Thread starter Tecumsehsbones
- Start date
American journalist kidnapped in Iraq had been warned of threats 'multiple times'
Freelancer Shelly Kittleson believed to have been abducted by suspects affiliated with Iran-backed militia group
Author of the article:Ling Hui
Published Apr 01, 2026 • 2 minute read
U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 31, 2026.
U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 31, 2026. Photo by AFP via Getty Images
An American journalist who was kidnapped in Iraq had been warned of threats against her days before her abduction, Iraqi and U.S. officials said.
Freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was forced into a car by two men in Baghdad on Tuesday and has not been seen since then.
Originally from Wisconsin, the 49-year-old is an experienced reporter who has worked for years in Iraq and Syria, staying in Rome between stints.
U.S. officials believe she was kidnapped by a suspected Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group called Kataib Hezballah.
An Iraqi official said she had tried to enter Iraq from Syria earlier in March, but was denied entry as she didn’t have the proper work permit and because of security concerns as the war escalated in Iran, The Associated Press reported.
Kittleson taken days after arriving in Baghdad
Kittleson later entered Iraq after obtaining a 60-day, single-entry visa, which is issued to allow foreign citizens stranded in neighbouring countries to “transit through Iraq to reach their home countries via available transport routes,” said Hussein Alawi, an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
He told AP that she was kidnapped days after entering Baghdad and was staying at a hotel in the capital.
As her abduction happened at a busy intersection, Iraqi authorities were able to intercept a car after it crashed, arresting one suspect. A second car with Kittleson and other suspects fled from the scene.
Kittleson contacted ‘multiple times’ about threat: Official
Before the incident, Iraqi authorities had notified U.S. officials of a specific kidnapping threat against Kittleson by Iran-affiliated militias, according to an unnamed Iraqi intelligence official who spoke to AP.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement confirming the abduction of an American journalist without naming Kittleson.
“The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to co-ordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible,” said Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, in a post on X.
An unnamed U.S. official told AP that Kittleson was contacted “multiple times with warnings of the threats against her.”
Journalist believed to be in Baghdad
She reportedly told a friend she didn’t believe the threat was credible.
Surveillance footage obtained by AP of the apparent abduction showed a car slowly approaching a person standing on a street corner with two men walking behind it. Within seconds, the two men force the individual into the back of car and drive off.
An Iraqi intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment said Iraqi authorities believe she is being held in Baghdad and are trying to locate her and secure her release. He said authorities “have information about the abducting party,” but declined to give more details.
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on U.S. facilities in the country since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
— With files from The Associated Press.
torontosun.com
Freelancer Shelly Kittleson believed to have been abducted by suspects affiliated with Iran-backed militia group
Author of the article:Ling Hui
Published Apr 01, 2026 • 2 minute read
U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 31, 2026.
U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson poses for a picture in Baghdad on March 31, 2026. Photo by AFP via Getty Images
An American journalist who was kidnapped in Iraq had been warned of threats against her days before her abduction, Iraqi and U.S. officials said.
Freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was forced into a car by two men in Baghdad on Tuesday and has not been seen since then.
Originally from Wisconsin, the 49-year-old is an experienced reporter who has worked for years in Iraq and Syria, staying in Rome between stints.
U.S. officials believe she was kidnapped by a suspected Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group called Kataib Hezballah.
An Iraqi official said she had tried to enter Iraq from Syria earlier in March, but was denied entry as she didn’t have the proper work permit and because of security concerns as the war escalated in Iran, The Associated Press reported.
Kittleson taken days after arriving in Baghdad
Kittleson later entered Iraq after obtaining a 60-day, single-entry visa, which is issued to allow foreign citizens stranded in neighbouring countries to “transit through Iraq to reach their home countries via available transport routes,” said Hussein Alawi, an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
He told AP that she was kidnapped days after entering Baghdad and was staying at a hotel in the capital.
As her abduction happened at a busy intersection, Iraqi authorities were able to intercept a car after it crashed, arresting one suspect. A second car with Kittleson and other suspects fled from the scene.
Kittleson contacted ‘multiple times’ about threat: Official
Before the incident, Iraqi authorities had notified U.S. officials of a specific kidnapping threat against Kittleson by Iran-affiliated militias, according to an unnamed Iraqi intelligence official who spoke to AP.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement confirming the abduction of an American journalist without naming Kittleson.
“The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to co-ordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible,” said Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, in a post on X.
An unnamed U.S. official told AP that Kittleson was contacted “multiple times with warnings of the threats against her.”
Journalist believed to be in Baghdad
She reportedly told a friend she didn’t believe the threat was credible.
Surveillance footage obtained by AP of the apparent abduction showed a car slowly approaching a person standing on a street corner with two men walking behind it. Within seconds, the two men force the individual into the back of car and drive off.
An Iraqi intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment said Iraqi authorities believe she is being held in Baghdad and are trying to locate her and secure her release. He said authorities “have information about the abducting party,” but declined to give more details.
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on U.S. facilities in the country since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
— With files from The Associated Press.
American journalist kidnapped in Iraq had been warned of threats 'multiple times'
Shelly Kittleson had been warned of threats against her days before her abduction, according to Iraqi and U.S. officials. Read more.
Iran army chief tells commanders to prepare for any attack, state media reports — Reuters
Iran's operational headquarters must monitor "enemy movements with utmost pessimism and accuracy" and be ready to counter any method of attack, the country's army commander-in-chief Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by state media on Thursday.
Stocks slid and the dollar gained after Trump said military operations would be intensified without offering the timeline that investors had sought for ending hostilities against Iran.Fears are growing that the conflict may leave Iran with a stranglehold over Middle East energy supplies now that it has shown that it can block the vital Strait of Hormuz by targeting oil tankers and attacking Gulf countries hosting U.S. troops.
Trump, who has said he may end the war without a deal, said countries that rely on fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been all but closed by Iranian attacks, should "just grab it".
Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force — Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. President Donald Trump challenged U.S. allies to work towards reopening it.
Benchmark Brent crude prices jumped by about 8% to around $109 per barrel and stocks took a hit, with little reassurance from Trump's address about how the strait would reopen.
"The key question in all investors' minds is 'When is this going to be over?'" said Russel Chesler, Head of Investments and Capital Markets at VanEck Australia.
Allies discuss Hormuz flows after Trump's vow to step up Iran attacks brings new oil price surge — Reuters
Dozens of countries sought ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran, pushing oil prices back up to damaging levels.
Live updates: Trump's Iran speech lands with a thud on financial markets — The Hill
President Trump offered his first primetime remarks Wednesday night on the war in Iran, indicating that while it is going well, strikes will continue.
Turn around season kicks off Monday at CCRL. Expect higher yet.
Iran army chief tells commanders to prepare for any attack, state media reports — Reuters
Iran's operational headquarters must monitor "enemy movements with utmost pessimism and accuracy" and be ready to counter any method of attack, the country's army commander-in-chief Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by state media on Thursday.
View attachment 33930
View attachment 33929Stocks slid and the dollar gained after Trump said military operations would be intensified without offering the timeline that investors had sought for ending hostilities against Iran.
Fears are growing that the conflict may leave Iran with a stranglehold over Middle East energy supplies now that it has shown that it can block the vital Strait of Hormuz by targeting oil tankers and attacking Gulf countries hosting U.S. troops.
View attachment 33927
Trump, who has said he may end the war without a deal, said countries that rely on fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been all but closed by Iranian attacks, should "just grab it".
Trump has argued that because the US has already done the "hard part" of attacking Iran and kicking the hornets nest, it should be easy for allies to take over secure the waterway that’s too dangerous for American warships. In response, many European officials have argued that the crisis is a direct result of American policy (the U.S.-Iran war) that they were unaware of until it happened. Trump argued that NATO defence alliance allies failed to assist in the "war of choice.”
Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force — Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. President Donald Trump challenged U.S. allies to work towards reopening it.
Benchmark Brent crude prices jumped by about 8% to around $109 per barrel and stocks took a hit, with little reassurance from Trump's address about how the strait would reopen.
"The key question in all investors' minds is 'When is this going to be over?'" said Russel Chesler, Head of Investments and Capital Markets at VanEck Australia.
Overnight, at the station I usually utilize (a local Coop), gas prices jumped $0.15/L = $0.385USD/USG.
Allies discuss Hormuz flows after Trump's vow to step up Iran attacks brings new oil price surge — Reuters
Dozens of countries sought ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran, pushing oil prices back up to damaging levels.
Live updates: Trump's Iran speech lands with a thud on financial markets — The Hill
President Trump offered his first primetime remarks Wednesday night on the war in Iran, indicating that while it is going well, strikes will continue.
The U.S. military "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants," Trump wrote on social media late on Thursday, adding that Iran's leadership "knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!"
apple.news
"Striking civilian structures, including unfinished bridges, will not compel Iranians to surrender," Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement.
Britain chaired a virtual meeting on Thursday of some 40 countries to explore ways to restore freedom of navigation that did not produce any specific agreement, although participants agreed that all nations should be able to use the waterway freely, one official said.
The U.N. Security Council is set to vote on Saturday on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the strait, diplomats said, but veto-wielding China made clear its opposition to authorizing any use of force.
Any military action would be "legitimising the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences," China's U.N. envoy Fu Cong told the Security Council on Thursday.
Tehran offered a competing vision for future control of the strait, and said it was drafting a protocol with neighbouring Oman that would require ships to obtain permits and licences.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back against Tehran's plan, saying Iran cannot be allowed to charge countries a bounty to let ships pass. "International law doesn't recognise pay-to-pass schemes," wrote Kallas on social media.
There are fears the conflict may leave Iran with a stranglehold over Middle East energy supplies now that it has shown that it can block the Strait of Hormuz by targeting oil tankers and attacking Gulf countries hosting U.S. troops.
apple.news
Gulf states say they reserve the right to self-defence but have refrained from responding militarily to repeated Iranian attacks over the past month, seeking to avoid escalation into a far more devastating all-out Middle East war.
apple.news
He (Trump) earlier posted video of the U.S. bombing a newly constructed bridge between Tehran and nearby Karaj. The B1 bridge was scheduled to open to traffic this year. According to Iran's state media, eight people were killed and 95 others were wounded in the U.S. attack.
'This has got me worried': Iranians fear what comes next after US strike on Karaj bridge — BBC News
President Trump has warned Iran of strikes on bridges and electric power plants if its leaders do not agree to his terms to end the war.
Over 100 American international law experts said on Thursday the conduct of U.S. forces and statements by senior U.S. officials "raise serious concerns about violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes."
Hardly. I’m not retired, & I’m just trying to keep up. A letter signed by the experts particularly noted a mid-March comment from Trump where he said the U.S. may conduct strikes on Iran "just for fun." It also cited comments from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth from early March in which he said the U.S. does not fight with "stupid rules of engagement."
In a speech the evening of April Fools Day, Trump repeated his threats against Iran's civilian power plants and gave no clear timeline for ending hostilities. That drew vows of retaliation from Iran, weighed on global share prices and sent oil prices surging on concerns the Strait of Hormuz would remain largely closed.
Britain chaired a virtual meeting on Thursday of some 40 countries to explore ways to restore freedom of navigation that did not produce any specific agreement, although participants agreed that all nations should be able to use the waterway freely, one official said.
The U.N. Security Council is set to vote on Saturday on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the strait, diplomats said, but veto-wielding China made clear its opposition to authorizing any use of force.
Any military action would be "legitimising the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences," China's U.N. envoy Fu Cong told the Security Council on Thursday.
Iran has “effectively” shut down the strait, which normally carries about a fifth of the world's total oil trade, in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli (not NATO, not anyone else) attacks that began on February 28.
Tehran offered a competing vision for future control of the strait, and said it was drafting a protocol with neighbouring Oman that would require ships to obtain permits and licences.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back against Tehran's plan, saying Iran cannot be allowed to charge countries a bounty to let ships pass. "International law doesn't recognise pay-to-pass schemes," wrote Kallas on social media.
There are fears the conflict may leave Iran with a stranglehold over Middle East energy supplies now that it has shown that it can block the Strait of Hormuz by targeting oil tankers and attacking Gulf countries hosting U.S. troops.
The Gulf states who want Trump 'to finish the job' in Iran — National Post
Mohamed Fahmy describes the situation on the ground in the Middle East
If the above is true, who are Irans neighbours trying to avoid an all out Middle-East war with?
Trump vows to hit more Iranian infrastructure as nations seek to open Hormuz — Reuters
President Donald Trump threatened to extend attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran after a U.S. strike cut a major highway bridge on Thursday, prompting a defiant response from Iran, which hit a water plant in Kuwait and said more would follow.
Have you seen any video or photos of Tel Aviv recently? It looks like Gaza.
Interception is down to 51% not including the cluster munitions.
Example of what "falling debris" damage looks like.
Direct Iranian missile strikes leave parts of “Tel Aviv” in ruins
Footage reveals the aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on “Tel Aviv,” showing widespread destruction and chaos. Explosions rocked the city as several missi...
youtube.com
Interception is down to 51% not including the cluster munitions.
Example of what "falling debris" damage looks like.
Direct Iranian missile strikes leave parts of “Tel Aviv” in ruins
Footage reveals the aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on “Tel Aviv,” showing widespread destruction and chaos. Explosions rocked the city as several missi...
Lots of stuff hanging in the air that I’m assuming isn’t smog.
【LIVE】 Live Cam Tel Aviv - Israel | SkylineWebcams
View from Tel Aviv in Israel Live cam
www.skylinewebcams.com
Debris.... https://youtube.com/shorts/hSzdvjVL5mY?si=xrowAY-qTbaayagO(YouTube & Tel Aviv Live Cam - View of Tel Aviv City)
Lots of stuff hanging in the air that I’m assuming isn’t smog.
【LIVE】 Live Cam Tel Aviv - Israel | SkylineWebcams
View from Tel Aviv in Israel Live cam
They even hit Surrey...
Allah Hu Akbar ☝️#lran #shortvideo #islamicvideo #allahuakbar
Allah Hu Akbar ☝️#lran #shortvideo #islamicvideo #allahuakbar.....#lran #allahuakbar #shortvideo #islamicstoriesinurduandhindi #love #quran #sad #islamicmess...
youtube.com
Tel Aviv Burns Overnight As Netanyahu’s Defenses Face Iran Barrage
Tel Aviv Burns Overnight As Netanyahu’s Defenses Face Iran BarrageIran’s massive overnight barrage on Tel Aviv has raised fresh questions about Israel’s air ...
youtube.com
Meanwhile in Occupied Lebanon...
youtube.com
Allegedly 50 tanks so far.
Hezbollah Almas ATGM Strikes Merkava Mk4 Turret Top!!
Witness the precision of a Hezbollah Almas ATGM as it executes a rare top-attack strike on a Merkava Mk4 tank turret. This breakdown highlights the advanced ...
youtube.com
Allegedly 50 tanks so far.
Is that fired from a residential neighbourhood? Sort of looks like they’re firing from an apartment building, top floor maybe?Meanwhile in Occupied Lebanon...
Hezbollah Almas ATGM Strikes Merkava Mk4 Turret Top!!
Witness the precision of a Hezbollah Almas ATGM as it executes a rare top-attack strike on a Merkava Mk4 tank turret. This breakdown highlights the advanced ...
Allegedly 50 tanks so far.
Terrorist hide in a residential area? Never happen. They are honourable murderers.
White House requests giant $1.5-trillion defence budget amid Iran war
The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since the Second World War
Author of the article:AFP
AFP
by Frankie TAGGART
Published Apr 03, 2026 • 2 minute read
US President Donald Trump has faced spiraling defense costs since the start of the Iran war.
US President Donald Trump has faced spiraling defense costs since the start of the Iran war. Photo by Alex Brandon /POOL/AFP/File
WASHINGTON — The White House sent a spending proposal to lawmakers Friday calling for a massive $1.5 trillion US defense budget next year as it faces increased costs due to the war in Iran.
The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since World War II, media reported, although presidential budgets are wish lists that have to be approved by Congress, rather than binding orders.
The request would represent a 42 per cent hike in the Pentagon topline for 2026.
It is part of a proposal that asks Congress to slash non-defense spending by some $73 billion, or 10 percent, by “reducing or eliminating woke, weaponized and wasteful programs, and by returning state and local responsibilities to their respective governments.”
The Pentagon isn’t expected to release a detailed breakdown of the budget request until later this month, but the plan could form a fiscal framework that adds trillions to the already growing federal debt over the next decade, assuming Congress adopts the president’s proposals.
Trump called on lawmakers to approve the bulk of the increase through the standard annual government funding process, while passing the remaining $350 billion via the same party-line legislative maneuver that allowed Republicans to secure tax cuts without Democratic support last year.
In the lead-up to releasing the proposal, the president and his advisors have emphasized the urgency of boosting defense spending, pointing to the need to replenish weapons stockpiles and other military resources during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
At a private lunch, Trump stressed that defense funding should take precedence over other federal expenditures, even if it meant scaling back social safety-net programs and other assistance.
“It’s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare, all of these individual things, they can do it on a state basis,” he said, adding that the priority had to be “military protection.”
The White House posted a video of Trump’s remarks on its YouTube page and then deleted it.
Democrats and Republicans have recently voiced concern about increasing military spending to the levels Trump has proposed, noting that the administration has not provided sufficient updates on the five-week-long war with Iran.
torontosun.com
The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since the Second World War
Author of the article:AFP
AFP
by Frankie TAGGART
Published Apr 03, 2026 • 2 minute read
US President Donald Trump has faced spiraling defense costs since the start of the Iran war.
US President Donald Trump has faced spiraling defense costs since the start of the Iran war. Photo by Alex Brandon /POOL/AFP/File
WASHINGTON — The White House sent a spending proposal to lawmakers Friday calling for a massive $1.5 trillion US defense budget next year as it faces increased costs due to the war in Iran.
The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since World War II, media reported, although presidential budgets are wish lists that have to be approved by Congress, rather than binding orders.
The request would represent a 42 per cent hike in the Pentagon topline for 2026.
It is part of a proposal that asks Congress to slash non-defense spending by some $73 billion, or 10 percent, by “reducing or eliminating woke, weaponized and wasteful programs, and by returning state and local responsibilities to their respective governments.”
The Pentagon isn’t expected to release a detailed breakdown of the budget request until later this month, but the plan could form a fiscal framework that adds trillions to the already growing federal debt over the next decade, assuming Congress adopts the president’s proposals.
Trump called on lawmakers to approve the bulk of the increase through the standard annual government funding process, while passing the remaining $350 billion via the same party-line legislative maneuver that allowed Republicans to secure tax cuts without Democratic support last year.
In the lead-up to releasing the proposal, the president and his advisors have emphasized the urgency of boosting defense spending, pointing to the need to replenish weapons stockpiles and other military resources during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
At a private lunch, Trump stressed that defense funding should take precedence over other federal expenditures, even if it meant scaling back social safety-net programs and other assistance.
“It’s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare, all of these individual things, they can do it on a state basis,” he said, adding that the priority had to be “military protection.”
The White House posted a video of Trump’s remarks on its YouTube page and then deleted it.
Democrats and Republicans have recently voiced concern about increasing military spending to the levels Trump has proposed, noting that the administration has not provided sufficient updates on the five-week-long war with Iran.
White House requests giant $1.5-trillion defence budget amid Iran war
The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since World War II
So Trump wants to take America from being 40% of all global military spending annually to some much much higher percentage?
Jean Chrétien, with Paul Martin as Minister of Finance. Finance Minister Paul Martin introduced massive cuts to federal transfers to provinces (health, post-secondary education, and social assistance) in his 1995 budget, replacing previous funding arrangements with the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST).
By cutting these transfers, the federal government achieved its goal of balancing its budget while forcing provinces to handle the rising costs of healthcare with fewer federal funds, a move often described as "downloading". Between 1994/95 and 1998/99, federal health transfers to the provinces were cut by approximately $25 billion.
While this move led to a “balanced federal budget” by 1997, “it caused severe financial strain on provincial healthcare systems, contributing to hospital closures and a reduction in the federal share of health spending.”
This looks so familiar, right before health care went from a federal to provincial responsibility so the Libs could “balance the books” back under Prime Minister
Jean Chrétien, with Paul Martin as Minister of Finance. Finance Minister Paul Martin introduced massive cuts to federal transfers to provinces (health, post-secondary education, and social assistance) in his 1995 budget, replacing previous funding arrangements with the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST).
By cutting these transfers, the federal government achieved its goal of balancing its budget while forcing provinces to handle the rising costs of healthcare with fewer federal funds, a move often described as "downloading". Between 1994/95 and 1998/99, federal health transfers to the provinces were cut by approximately $25 billion.
While this move led to a “balanced federal budget” by 1997, “it caused severe financial strain on provincial healthcare systems, contributing to hospital closures and a reduction in the federal share of health spending.”