A prominent ally of President Donald Trump's was roasted by political observers and analysts on Sunday after he reached a "new level of insanity" over the fallout from the Iran war.
After the U.S. and Israel coordinated a bombing campaign against Iran, the regime retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz to U.S. and Israeli ships. The Strait is responsible for 20% of global liquefied natural gas and oil trade, and its closure is part of why energy prices have skyrocketed since the war began.
AAA measured the U.S. average cost of a gallon of gas at $3.69 on Sunday. That represents a $0.24 increase from the previous week and a $0.77 increase compared to last month.
Newt Gingrich, a fervent Trump supporter and former Speaker of the House, reposted a satirical article on his X page that called on Trump to "nuke us a canal" and create a new trade route if the Iranians continue to block the Strait of Hormuz. "The views expressed above do not necessarily represent those of anyone with brain cells," the article reads in part.
Political analysts and observers shared their reactions on social media.
"The new level of insanity -- let's drop a bunch of nukes!" lawyer Robert Barnes posted on X.
"I wonder if he read all the way to the bottom," Jay Weisenthal, co-host of Bloomberg's "Odd Lots" podcast, posted on X.
"Is this real life?" former Republican lawmaker Adam Kinzinger posted on X.
"Thermonuclear detonations?" Tim Miller, host of "The Bulwark Podcast," posted on X.
"Nothing to see here, just top Trump ally and former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich calling on Trump to use nukes in the Middle East," Mehdi Hasan, founder of Zeteo News, posted on X.