Trump has performed a climbdown of epic proportions, used dead soldiers as a grift for donations – and his Secretary of War has given an illegal order. Here’s everything you need to know about the last 24 hours in Trumpworld
Since returning to office last year, Donald Trump has earned a new nickname – TACO. Which is short for “Trump Always Chickens Out”.
It started in the wake of his disastrous “Liberation Day” Tariffs – with Wall Street types using it to remind themselves that many of the nonsense announcements he makes end in a climbdown.
Today has seen him perform a climbdown of epic proportions – admitting for the first time that Operation EPIC FURY alone probably won’t be enough to protect the oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and that actually it wouldn’t be a bad idea if Britain and others sent some warships after all.
Meanwhile, in Trumpworld…
- He blew up at an interviewer for his scary accuracy in predicting his next move in the Middle East,
- He used dead soldiers as a grift for donations
- Pete Hegseth gave what could amount to an illegal order.
Here’s what you need to know
1. Trump has changed his tune on the UK sending ships to help in the Middle East
Donald Trump has performed a humiliating u-turn, begging the UK and others to send warships to the Middle East to help police the Strait of Hormuz.
Less than a week ago, the US President declared the war in Iran was “already won” – dismissing reports the UK was preparing the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to deploy to the region.
“The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website.
“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
But today he appeared to have completely changed his tune as Iran continued to threaten ships attempting to sail the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for seaborne oil.
“Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe,” he wrote.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are.”
He went on to call on other countries to help the US police the Strait: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated.
“In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!”
2. Trump blew up at interviewer who suggested he bomb Kharg Island…which he did 24 hours later
Trump announced last night that he had given the order to bomb Kharg Island, which is home to Iran’s main oil export terminal – and is critical to the country’s economy.
The US targeted military installations on the island, but Trump warned the oil facilities would be next if Iran continued to block the Strait of Hormuz – the main shipping route for oil heading to the west.
He wrote on Truth Social: “Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.
“Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”
What makes it even more interesting is an interview Trump recorded 24 hours earlier, which was published just hours before the attack took place.
Trump spoke to (who else?) Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade, who asked him whether he had plans to “take” the island.
And he got pretty shirty with Kilmeade about the question.
“I can’t answer a question like that. You shouldn’t ask it. It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump said.
He then asked Kilmeade: “Who would ask a question like that, and what fool would answer it?
“It’s sort of a foolish question. A little surprising for you, because you’re a smart man,’ he told the host.
“Let’s say I was going to do it or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it, why would I tell you?”
3. So one of two things has happened here…
This leaves us with two possible scenarios. Either Kilmeade got incredibly lucky, and accurately predicted the Trump administration’s next move.
Or, Trump ordered the Island be taken …because Fox News Radio host Kilmeade suggested it. Which is…way worse, right?
4. Trump uses dead soldiers to grift for donations
It’s nice that even in 2026, Donald Trump can still find ways to shock and disgust people. Last night, a fundraising email from Trump’s Political Action Committee used an image from last Saturday’s ceremony that saw six US soldiers who died in the Iran war returned to the US.
Trump had already been accused of showing disrespect to the fallen by showing up to the event wearing a white USA baseball cap. The one he wears when he goes to play golf.
But he managed to make matters yet worse by taking a photo taken at the event and using it in a begging bowl email to his most gullible supporters, and offering them the chance to be included in his “private national security briefings”, which is obviously illegal as well as distasteful.
5. Pete Hegseth gave an illegal order
Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, urged troops to show “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies”. Which is super, super illegal.
Hegseth, in the middle of the thing he literally got Trump to add to his job title, spent more time berating the media for not giving him an easier ride than he did on the actual things happening in the conflict that will no doubt replace the time when he almost accidentally killed a military drummer with an axe on telly as the thing he’s best remembered for.
But the directive to show “no quarter” is notable, because it’s not just a macho declaration, it’s an actual war crime. It has a specific meaning in the law of armed combat – and means killing your enemies instead of capturing them.
Senator Mark Kelly was quick to point this out on Twitter – pointedly so, given Hegseth has been trying to take his military pension off him for making a video reminding US servicemen and women that they’re not required to follow illegal orders. Like this one.




