Trump believed coming across as 'unstable and insulting' in controversial posts could 'bring the Iranians to the table' [View all]

Source: The Independent

Sunday 19 April 2026 05:44 EDT


President Trump reportedly adopted a strategy of intentionally acting unstable and insulting towards Iran, in the hopes that it would push the U.S. adversary to negotiate an end to the war.

The unorthodox tactics were reportedly behind a string of controversial posts the president made this month about the vital Strait of Hormuz, administration officials told The Wall Street Journal.

In one post, on April 5, the president ordered Iran to “open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b*******, or you’ll be living in Hell,” and ended the post with “Praise be to Allah.”. In another message, this one on April 7, the president threatened that a “whole civilization will die tonight” unless Iran agreed to open the strait.

A two-week ceasefire was announced that night, less than 90 minutes before Trump’s deadline. Still, the comments alarmed critics from both parties, with members of Congress and faith leaders reportedly contacting the White House to inquire about the president’s striking comments, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-post-iran-deal-easter-b2960486.html