Political analysts and observers were wide-eyed after President Donald Trump came unglued over the media coverage of the war in Iran on Tuesday.
Trump posted on Truth Social that media outlets that report Iran is doing well in the war are committing "virtual treason." He's made similar statements in the past, and the president's new post came at a time when negotiations between the U.S. and Iran seem to be at an impasse.
"When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, Militarily, against us, it's virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "They are aiding and abetting the enemy! All it does is give Iran false hope when none should exist. These are American cowards that are rooting against our Country."
"Only Losers, Ingrates, and Fools are able to make a case against America!" he added.
Political analysts and observers reacted to Trump's post on social media.
"The guy who hid classified documents in a bathroom probably shouldn't lecture anyone about aiding enemies," liberal news commentator Alex Cole posted on X.
"Sounds like the strait is gonna open any minute now," journalist Rich Burrows posted on Bluesky.
"Iran is, objectively, doing well in the war, considering that the US has a much more powerful military and bigger economy," Nicholas Grossman, an international relations professor at the University of Illinois, posted on Bluesky. "That's true no matter what media says. Bullying them into lying won't fix it."
"Today went very well ... again," journalist Max Uechtritz posted on X.
"Consistent with Trump's general theory that it is treason to criticize him and that any such speech should be legally suppressed," David Rothkopf, a political columnist for The Daily Beast, posted on Bluesky.