Obama tweets haunt Trump, fury in the US
Donald Trump's past commentary on his predecessors has come back to haunt him, while some MAGA loyalists have shown open dissent since the decision to bomb Iran.
Tweets posted by the US President between 2011 and 2013, when Barack Obama was in office, resurfaced over the weekend after Mr Trump ordered strikes on Iran's nuclear program.
In the old posts, he repeatedly claimed Mr Obama would 'start a war with Iran' saying it would be done 'in order to get re-elected'.
'Remember that I predicted a long time ago that President Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiation properly – not skilled!' he wrote on November 11, 2013.
These posts have gone viral on X in the wake of Mr Trump's shock military move on Sunday, AEST, which he claimed had 'totally obliterated' Iran's nuclear sites.
The President has since faced criticism from within his on base, due to his campaigning on a platform of 'peace through strength' and for no new wars if he was elected.
Sunday's operation followed eight days of warfare between Israel and Iran, in the latest tit-for-tat conflict sparked by Israel's 'pre-emptive' attacks on June 13.
Senator Marjorie Taylor-Greene, known as a staunch MAGA supporter, wrote a message of dismay on X after news broke of the American strikes on Iranian soil.
'Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war,' she said.
'There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first.
'Israel is a nuclear armed nation.
'This is not our fight.'
She doubled down on Monday morning, AEST, sharing another tweet in which she said Americans were 'exhausted' by foreign interventions.
'I can also support President Trump and his great administration on many of the great things they are doing while disagreeing on bombing Iran and getting involved in a hot war that Israel started,' she said.
'That's not disloyalty. Critical thinking and having my own opinions is the most American thing ever.
'Because contrary to what brainwashed Democrat boomers say, Trump is not a king, MAGA is not a cult, and President Trump has surrounded himself with people who once disagreed with him and even ran against him for President.'
Mr Trump has also called Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie a 'pathetic loser' after the latter led the charge against war in the Capitol.
'I'm here to represent the base of the MAGA party that got Trump elected,' Mr Massie told CNN.
'Most of us were tired of the wars in the Middle East and eastern Europe, and we were promised that we wouldn't be engaging in another one, yet here we see this happening.'
Mr Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, who has became an outspoken critic, praised the attack as 'the right decision for America'.
'I think we're on the verge of potentially seeing regime change in Iran as part of that,' he told CNN.
Vice President JD Vance has tried to downplay fears of the US becoming more involved in the war, saying the 'goal' of Sunday's attack had been achieved.
'We're not at war with Iran,' he replied. 'We're at war with Iran's nuclear program.'
But Mr Trump, writing on Truth Social on Monday, was not so diplomatic.
'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' he wrote.
'MIGA!!!'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
29 minutes ago
- ABC News
What the Israel-Iran war means for oil prices and the cost of goods
As Israel and Iran, now joined by the US, escalate from conflict to war, the price of oil is rising. Energy and fuel costs, food prices, and spending on infrastructure and welfare programs will likely be affected, says a leading economics researcher. This means higher prices for consumers across Asia. For Asian nations, there is no real alternative to oil from the Gulf states, meaning volatility in that region is likely to cause pressure thousands of kilometres away. Indo-Pacific countries who rely on oil imports would have to spend more, but many do not have the resources to keep borrowing without cutting spending in other areas," said Joaquin Vespignani, associate professor in finance at the University of Tasmania. "For the average person ... inflation will increase significantly, while income may decline. So, you have a double whammy there,' he said. Prices have already increased 3 per cent following the US's bombing of an Iranian nuclear site. A squeeze on oil supplies could have serious ramifications for countries such as Indonesia which have provided fuel subsidies. ( Reuters: Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana ) Are oil prices likely to rise more? Yes, according to Dr Vespignani. In the initial stages of the Israel-Iran war, markets reacted with a 5 per cent "risk premium", he said. 'Forecasts under high-risk scenarios suggest Brent could exceed $US100 per barrel if supply from Iran is disrupted and strategic transport routes are compromised. 'If the United States becomes further involved, especially through direct engagement or enhanced sanctions on Iranian crude exports, we could see a significant and sustained rise in oil prices into 2025.'' How will that affect the Indo-Pacific? 'The impact could be very significant,'' said Dr Vespignani. 'India, Indonesia, and most Southeast Asian nations are highly dependent on imported oil, much of it sourced from the Middle East.'' India imports about 85 per cent of its crude oil, Indonesia imports about 60 per cent, and Southeast Asia imports more than 70 per cent. Countries like Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are heavily exposed to price increases. 'If prices rise by $US10–20/barrel over a sustained period, this would widen current account deficits, increase fuel subsidies, and feed into broader inflation,' said Dr Vespignani. Joaquin Vespignani said the Indo-Pacific would be significantly affected by any price rises or interruption to supplies from the oil-producing Gulf states. ( Supplied ) In India, for example, a 25 per cent increase in global oil prices would raise its oil import bill by an estimated $US30–40 billion annually, placing substantial pressure on the current account deficit, the rupee and domestic inflation. Indonesia would face similar pressure. The burden on the state budget due to fuel subsidies could substantially increase the deficit or force a reallocation of spending from infrastructure and welfare programs. Dr Vespignani said countries with little room to move with finances and external vulnerabilities would be forced to choose between inflation control, currency stability, and managing sustainable debt. '[This] could also slow economic growth, reduce disposable incomes, and create new pressures on government finances — particularly in economies still recovering from COVID-19 and global food price inflation,' he said. Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters: Hamad I Mohammed ) What happens if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz? Iran has approved a move to close the Strait of Hormuz, which still requires sign off from the Supreme National Security Council, a body led by an appointee of Ali Khamenei. The step is widely seen as Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West. The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical oil chokepoint — about 20 per cent of global oil flows pass through it. Analysts agree if Iran were to block or significantly restrict shipping, the immediate result would be a major supply shock. The price of crude oil could surge well above $US90–105 per barrel depending on the duration and severity of the blockade, said Dr Vespignani. 'India, Indonesia, and most Southeast Asian countries would be among the hardest hit due to their geographic proximity and trade links to Gulf producers,' he said. 'Refiners in these countries would face delays, higher freight and insurance costs, and ultimately be forced to pass on costs to consumers.'' Any squeeze on oil supplies would mean 'higher costs for fuel, electricity, and transport — with downstream effects on food and manufacturing prices.'' Are there alternatives to Middle East oil? 'There are no immediate short-term alternatives that can fully offset a severe supply disruption,' said Dr Vespignani. He said strategic reserves can provide some buffer but these are relatively small and would only cover a few weeks of demand. 'In the absence of substitution options, higher prices will be required to reduce demand — potentially weakening growth and amplifying inflation pressures across the Indo-Pacific.''
9 News
42 minutes ago
- 9 News
The Republicans voicing dissent against Trump's strikes on Iran
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Before yesterday's military operation targeting nuclear enrichment sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, rifts were beginning to form within the party over the prospect of the US joining Israel to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Trump had campaigned for his second term opposing US involvement in the Middle East, promising to adopt an "America first" approach if elected for a second term. President Donald Trump speaks after the US military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites. (AP) He had also previously criticised the then-president Barack Obama, posting to social media that he would start a war with Iran because of his "inability to negotiate properly" and to "save face". Last week, Trump indicated Iran would have two weeks before he decided on whether to support Israel's efforts in Iran, but broke his own deadline after announcing the US had completed a "spectacular military success" in Iran. Within minutes of the news, strong condemnation began to roll in. Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who has been leading a War Powers Resolution to prevent the US from becoming involved in another Middle East war in a rare cross-party alliance with California Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna, criticised the strikes as unconstitutional. "Congress has the sole authority to authorise war. Speaker Mike Johnson should bring our resolution to the floor for a vote immediately," he said on X. Georgia's Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right conservative and staunch Trump supporter, opposed the country's involvement. "Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war," she said on X. "There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first. Israel is a nuclear-armed nation. Ohio Republican Warren Davidson said it was "hard to conceive a rationale that's constitutional". He later questioned when Congress would be weighing in on the matter. Trump, however, insisted he had the full support of the Republican Party. "Great unity in the Republican Party, perhaps unity like we have never seen before," he said on Truth Social. Thomas Massie (left) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (right). (AP) Democrats have condemned the President for ordering the strikes without approval from Congress, which they say went against Article I of the Constitution. "President Trump came into office promising to 'end the endless foreign wars.' Tonight, he took steps that could drag the United States into another one, without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what's at stake," Democratic Virginia Senator Mark Warner said on X. "The Constitution makes clear that the power to authorise war lies with Congress." New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went further to claim that Trump's strikes were "grounds for impeachment". But one of the top Republicans in Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson, said Trump had evaluated that the "imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act". "The President fully respects the Article I power of Congress, and tonight's necessary, limited, and targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties," he said on X. Donald Trump USA World Israel Iran nuclear Politics CONTACT US Auto news:Is this the next Subaru WRX? Mysterious performance car teased.
ABC News
42 minutes ago
- ABC News
Suicide bombing on Syrian church kills at least 22, injures dozens
At least 22 people have been killed and 63 injured in a suicide bombing at a church in Syria's capital of Damascus, according to state media. WARNING: This story contains distressing content. Worshippers had gathered for a packed Sunday service at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood when the attack took place. The suicide bomber entered and opened fire, before detonating his explosive vest, Syria's interior ministry said in a statement. It said the suicide bomber was a member of Islamic State (IS). A security source told Reuters two men were involved in the attack, including the man who blew himself up. It is the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led rebel insurgency in December. The blast sparked panic and fear in the church, which had been full of worshippers, including children and the elderly, eyewitnesses said. The building was strewn with wood from fittings and pews after the attack, with fallen icons and pools of blood on the floor. Families are still searching for missing loved ones, with some local media reporting children were among the dead. Lawrence Maamari was inside the church when the attack happened. He told AFP a man had entered and begun shooting, with people trying "to stop him before he blew himself up". Ziad Helou, who was at a shop nearby, said he heard gunfire then an explosion, and saw glass flying. "We saw fire in the church and the remains of wooden benches thrown all the way to the entrance," he said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was the first suicide attack inside a church in Syria since war erupted in 2011. IS has been behind several attempted attacks on churches in Syria since Mr Assad's fall. But a security source told Reuters this was the first to succeed. The Orthodox patriarchate in Damascus urged authorities to "bear full responsibility for what … is happening concerning the violation of the sanctity of churches, and to ensure the protection of all citizens". The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed "outrage at this heinous crime", calling for a full investigation. Syria's foreign ministry described the attack as "a desperate attempt to undermine national coexistence and to destabilise the country". Since the new authorities took power, the international community has urged the government to protect minorities and ensure their participation in Syria's transition, particularly after sectarian violence in recent months. Syria's interior minister, Anas Khattab, said specialised teams had begun investigating. "These terrorist acts will not stop the efforts of the Syrian state in achieving civil peace," he said in a statement. Earlier this month, he said IS had attempted to carry out attacks against Christian and Shiite communities that authorities had thwarted. Syria's Christian community has shrunk from about 1 million before the war to under 300,000 due to displacement and emigration. ABC/Wires
