Trump Downplays Iran Conflict
Trump and Vance downplayed the Iran conflict as critics cite U.S. casualties.
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Updated Sep 4, 7:55pm ETEvery side, every morning
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The reporting
President Donald Trump on Friday called the U.S. conflict with Iran “small potatoes” and said he considers it a “military conflict,” not a war, while defending Vice President JD Vance’s similar characterization a day earlier. The six-month conflict has killed 18 U.S. service members, injured hundreds more and contributed to higher gas prices. Vance said Thursday he would not call the fighting a war and did not know when it would end. The issue is emerging in the midterm campaign ahead of the November 3 election.
Analysis & opinion
Small potatoes insultMostly Left
Calling the Iran war “small potatoes” disrespects the U.S. service members who were killed or wounded in the conflict. The phrase minimizes real sacrifice and treats American casualties as if they were politically insignificant.
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