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Mar 23, 2026 - World

Vice President JD Vance's special adviser for the Middle East has left the Trump administration to take a new role at a lobbying firm, Bloomberg Government reported on Monday. Wesam H. Hassanein has joined Continental Strategy LLC, a firm connected to the Trump administration and the Republican Party, the outlet reported. The native Arabic speaker said he had apparently planned to leave the White House when the U.S.-Israeli joint strikes started on Iran on Feb. 28. “I’m not leaving because I oppose the president’s decision on Iran — I’m 100% supportive of President Trump’s decision to deny Iran nuclear weapons,” Hassanein said. “We should have done what President Trump is doing years ago.”Hassanein previously worked for the State Department before joining the Trump administration. He said he had been mulling over several offers before selecting the firm founded by Carlos Trujillo, former Ambassador to the Organization of American States. “Continental really, really stood out as family oriented, a family culture, with an excellent client base,” he said. “They are in total lockstep with the administration, working to advance America First policies.”Several people reacted to the news of the latest White House exit. "Rats, sinking ships...," Mehdi Hassan, editor-in-chief and CEO of Zeteo, wrote on X. "VP Vance's special adviser for the Middle East, Wesam H. Hassanein, leaves role for the private sector," Jonathan Guyer, Program Director of Institute for Global Affairs, wrote on X. "Why do they all leave when it gets hot in the kitchen?? Very weak appointees doing the Bongino," political commentator Johnny Law wrote on X."Why stay when POTUS does the bidding of another country to lie us into war. Get off the sinking ship," copywriter John Bethel wrote on X.

Mar 23, 2026 - World

President Donald Trump blamed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for pushing him into the war in Iran.During an event in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Trump bragged about past gains in the stock market, which have recently taken a hit because of Operation Epic Fury."You know, our economy was fantastic. We had a Dow at 50,000," the president explained. "And then, unfortunately, I came -- I called Pete, I called General [Dan] Caine, I called a lot of our great people. We have great people. And I said, 'Let's talk. We got a problem in the Middle East. We have a country known as Iran, that for 47 years has been just a purveyor of terror, and they're very close to having a nuclear weapon."Trump noted that his success in the stock market would have continued if not for the war."We can keep going and get that 50,000 up to 55 and 60," he remarked. "Or we can take a stop and make a little journey into the Middle East and eliminate a big problem.""And, Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. And you said, 'Let's do it,'' because you can't let them have a nuclear weapon," Trump added.The president went on to predict that the war could be over soon because of "very good discussions" with Iran.For their part, Iranian officials have denied having discussions with the Trump administration.

Mar 23, 2026 - World

A congenial interview with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) grew tense Monday morning when MS NOW host Joe Scarborough became increasingly impatient with the Senate Minority leader — and snapped at him with “you don’t understand me.”Schumer, who has been the subject of stories that some Democrats want him to step away from his leadership position, was asked about Donald Trump’s decision to back off on some of the attacks on Iran. That led to the “Morning Joe” co-host lecturing his guest on the public’s perception of the unprovoked war.“First of all, is it a good thing that we're degrading Iran's military infrastructure?” the New York Democrat was asked, which led Schumer to focus on the closing of the Strait of Hormuz and the high cost of gasoline.“No, no, no, hold on a second,“ the MS NOW host protested. “You've got to answer my question first. Is it a good thing that Iran, I think you would agree with me, the epicenter of terrorism in the world since 1979, is it good that their military infrastructure is being degraded to the degree that it is? Yes or no?”“You can't, because it's a premature question. What's going to happen in the next several months?” Schumer replied.Scarborough cut him off with, “No, no, I can ask that question. You have the military side. You have the political side. I'm simply asking on the military side, is it good? Regardless of whether we agree with going in or not, is it good that Iran's military infrastructure has been seriously —.”“Again, I have to tell you, Joe, first, you can't,” the lawmaker interrupted. “What's going to happen three months from now? Is it worth it? What's going to happen? Will the world economy collapse? Will something happen even worse? Will the whole energy infrastructure of the world go up in smoke?” “Let me answer the question for everybody in America,” the exasperated Scarborough shot back as he held up his hands to the entire silent panel. “The answer is ‘yes’ it's good that that terrorist regime, their military has been and capabilities have been degraded radically. The question though, is political. It's the political question. What is the political impact? What's the impact in the streets? What's the impact in the region?”“In all due respect, if you ask the American people if you have the choice of degrading the military, the military structure in Iran, but having gasoline be $6 a gallon, and our economy falling into a deep recession where millions lose their job," Schumer protested.“Senator, you're not listening to me,” the MS NOW host shot back. “That's the political side.” - YouTube youtu.be

Mar 23, 2026 - World

Iranian officials reportedly contradicted President Donald Trump after he claimed that he had fruitful talks with the regime to postpone his 48-hour deadline on bombing power plants.“VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST," Trump wrote on a Monday Truth Social post. "I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD."CNBC reported that an Iranian official told a different story on state TV.“There is been no negotiation and there is no negotiation, and with this kind of psychological warfare, neither the Strait of Hormuz will return to its pre-war conditions nor will there be peace in the energy markets," the official said.Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said that Trump had postponed a "possible war crime.""This isn’t a message to Iran. It’s a panicky message to the markets," he pointed out. "No war escalation until markets close on Friday."

Mar 23, 2026 - World

More than a few of Donald Trump’s supporters were displeased early Monday morning after the president called off imminent attacks on Iran’s power plants as discussions took place aimed at ending the war.In an all-caps Truth Social announcement, that was reposted moments later to fix multiple typos, the president declared, in part, “I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”That did not sit well with some MAGA fans who voiced their unhappiness on Truth Social.Retired Air Force veteran Birdnut implored, “Please dont let this drag on like Ukraine. Pauses do not benefit anyone but the enemy.”“Any kind of agreement with the Islamic Republic is a betrayal of the people of Iran. If the Republic survives, it will massacre the people just as it is executing them every day. And be sure that if it survives, it is a wounded snake that will seek revenge on the world as soon as it comes to its senses,”warned Mina45.Viji demanded, “Finish the job.”“Don’t believe a word they say!!!!” wrote patriot4ever45 to which Ceyberdog added, “Don’t trust these people!!!! Only a complete surrender is acceptable…. Have been negotiating for 47 years and they do not abide.”FlyingFox advised, “I wouldn’t believe a word the Iranians have said - any agreement will be broken within hours - blame will then be laid at the feet of Israel and the U.S. The world press will then write another fake news report blaming President Trump. The merry go round starts again! Appeasement doesn’t work with Terrorists! Nothing short of total destruction has any future benefit regrettably!”“Please don't negotiate with the Islamic regime terrorists. Finish the job, Mr. President. clean up those jihadists from the earth. end this dictatorship and let the world and Iranians to breath!” added MiladDev.Misaelmesa pointed out, “That wicked regime will not back down; they are merely stalling for time to regroup. You must press on to the very end, granting no quarter to those damned Satanists.”“If they're [sic] capability of developing a nuclear bomb is not completely halted, then we have lost,” lamented SallySunshine75.