President Donald Trump in the White House press room in Washington, April 6, 2026. JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON/AP
President Donald Trump directed genocidal language at Iran on Tuesday, April 7. "A whole civilization will die tonight," he wrote on his Truth Social network, "never to be brought back again." While commentators speculated, as they do with each of the former businessman's threats, about his supposed negotiating tactics and penchant for hyperbole, a new reality was becoming clear. Trump, frustrated by the Iranian regime's resistance – especially since he had expected the regime to collapse rather than disrupt the global economy – abandoned any rhetorical restraint. No more self-control, no more presidential gravitas. "Open the Fuckin' Strait [of Hormuz], you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell," he threatened on April 5.
On Monday, during a widely watched press conference at the White House, a journalist dared to ask: "What is your response to critics who say that your mental health should perhaps be examined, as this war continues?" Trump barely flinched. "I haven't heard that, but if that's the case, you're going to have to have more people like me, because our country was being ripped off on trade, on everything, for many years, until I came along." The billionaire appeared to ignore the questions about his psychological fitness.
