U.S. President Donald Trump looks at a model of a B‑2 bomber commemorating "Operation Midnight Hammer" during an event to sign an executive order creating an anti‑fraud task force headed by U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
A CNN political insider floated a new theory on Monday about the "former president" that President Donald Trump claims he spoke to about his decision to strike Iran.
Trump claimed during a press conference in the Oval Office that he had spoken with a "former president" who said he "wished" he had made the same decision to bomb Iran as the Trump administration. When pressed by reporters about the claim, Trump did not reveal who he was referring to. Former President Bill Clinton's team told CNN Senior Reporter Daniel Dale that Trump has not spoken with Clinton about Iran. Trump also denied speaking with presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
CNN political insider Kate Bedingfield floated a mocking new theory about who the president could have been referring to during a segment on "The Lead" with Jake Tapper.
"Not for nothing, Donald Trump is also a former president," Bedingfield said. "I think it is totally reasonable to question whether Donald Trump was looking in the mirror, having a discussion with himself in the bathroom this morning."
Bedingfield's comments come at a time when the Trump administration is facing increased scrutiny over its decision to coordinate bombing strikes against Iran with Israel.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that 53% of Americans oppose the war in Iran.