In terms of a doable U.S. navy strike in Iran, Donald Trump has raised extra questions than he’s answered. Final week, the president and his workforce went out of their method to say that the US had “nothing to do with” Israel’s assault on Iran. This week, Trump declared, “We now have full and whole management of the skies over Iran,” earlier than demanding the nation’s “unconditional give up.”
Nobody appears in a position to say with confidence what the Republican intends to do, why he’d do it, and even after we may study of his choice. I’ve discovered myself periodically checking his social media platform, in search of some form of poorly written “Bombs Away” message, adopted by an unhealthy variety of exclamation factors.
Evidently, I can cease hitting refresh — for 2 weeks.
At her newest briefing, White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the “hypothesis” in regards to the White Home’s coverage, which led her to learn a ready assertion from the president. It learn, “Based mostly on the truth that there’s a considerable likelihood of negotiations that will or could not happen with Iran within the close to future, I’ll make my choice whether or not or to not go inside the subsequent two weeks.”
It’s tough to say with confidence whether or not these negotiations exist or whether or not they’ll succeed, however the truth that Trump and his workforce has rolled out one other “two week” timeline represents a exceptional failure of self-awareness.
Final week for instance, the president mentioned U.S. buying and selling companions ought to anticipate letters on unilateral tariff charges in “two weeks.” Shortly earlier than that, the president was requested about Vladimir Putin’s alleged curiosity in “peace.” He replied, “I can’t let you know that, however I’ll let in about two weeks.”
Final month, Trump was requested about tariff charges on pharmaceutical merchandise. “I’ll know within the subsequent two weeks,” he mentioned.
Alas, we are able to preserve going. The place’s Trump’s well being care plan? It’ll be prepared in “two weeks.” What a few doable minimum-wage improve? That, too, will likely be unveiled in “two weeks.” On every little thing from tax coverage to infrastructure, immigration to reproductive well being, the president’s detailed options are all the time simply “two weeks” away.
By now, most observers are most likely acquainted with how the sport is performed: The Republican is requested for his place on a difficulty; he dodges the query by saying he’ll make an announcement “in two weeks”; after which he waits for everybody to neglect about his self-imposed deadline.
Besides, we don’t neglect. As an alternative, we shake our heads in exasperation due to the cynical assumptions on the coronary heart of this unlucky rhetorical trick, which nobody falls for anymore.
On this newest instance, a reporter felt compelled to remind Leavitt of the familiarity of the administration’s newest timeline.
If latest historical past is any information, she and Trump will preserve utilizing it anyway, detached to the embarrassment.
This publish updates our associated earlier protection.
This text was initially revealed on MSNBC.com
