Trump WH Crashes Out as Iran Declares Next Steps

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0:33Ben Meiselas:Donald Trump and the White House are crashing out over major escalation in the war and Iran, smoking out Donald Trump's invasion plans, apparently with another Arab nation as well. the head of Iran's parliament, M.B. Goluboff, who just a few days ago, Donald Trump said, he's a hot option that I want to lead Iran when we take it over. And this guy's been just repudiating and rebuking Donald Trump at all turns. He just posted the following message moments ago. Goluboff writes, based on some data, Iran's enemies with the support of one of the regional countries are preparing to occupy one of the Iranian islands.

1:17Ben Meiselas:All enemy movements are under the full surveillance of our armed forces. If they step out of line, all the vital infrastructure of that regional country will, without restriction, become the target of relentless attack. We are hypothesizing that that country is Saudi Arabia, that the island is Karg Island. And we are aware of the Marine Expeditionary Forces that have been leaving from Japan on the USS Tripoli that will be arriving near Iran by Friday. And we also have numerous other Marine Expeditionary units on their way from San Diego and elite paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg heading to the Middle East as well.

2:05Ben Meiselas:Galiboff also writes the following. We are closely monitoring all U.S. movements in the region, especially troop deployments. What the generals have broke, the soldiers can't fix. Instead, they will fall victim to Netanyahu's delusions. Do not test our resolve to defend our land. Meanwhile, other top ranking officials in Iran have been posting, come closer, come closer, soldiers. We have been waiting for this and preparing for this moment for two decades. U.S. soldiers, come on in. We are ready for you. So it does not seem that there's a deal to be had anytime soon. Israel's I-24 News has also confirmed recent reporting on the Iranian Supreme Leader, saying that a Western intelligence top source has told them that Moj Taba Khomeini, who was injured in a strike earlier in the conflict remains in contact right now with the principal Iranian regime decision makers and remains in the decision making processing loop right there.

3:12Ben Meiselas:Another major escalation development recently as well. It's exactly what I've been warning about. And you've heard me say it now for the past five days, relentlessly focus on the Red Sea, focus on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. I know we're talking about the Strait of Hormuz, but I said we're not talking enough about the Red Sea because Iran has yet to activate the Houthis in Yemen to shut down the Red Sea, which is the alternative route where some of this crude is being shifted to. Because if you shut down the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, you're going to see oil hit$200 a barrel in no time.

3:52Ben Meiselas:Now, Iranian officials have again threatened to open another front in the conflict. It's now being reported, as I predicted, this Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. The statements made to Tasman News, which is like their regime media, alluded to the possible entrance of the Houthis into the conflict as Iranian officials increasingly tease the expansion of the, quote, resistance front's involvements at the time of writing. The Houthis are the only major arm of the Iranian-backed access of resistance. The open source intelligence defender account explains that has not gotten involved in the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

4:32Ben Meiselas:And as I reported earlier, Iran's preconditions before engaging in any negotiation with the Trump regime includes the following demands. A new order for the Strait of Hormuz that would allow Iran to collect fees from ships that transit the waterway as Egypt does now with the Suez Canal, guarantees that the war wouldn't restart and an end to Israel strikes on the Iran-aligned Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Israel says it's going to take about another six months to a year there, and they are preparing a broader invasion into Beirut and South Lebanon, lifting all sanctions on Iran, permitting Iran to keep its missile program with no negotiations to limit it and full reparations for the damages Iran has faced as a result of this war.

5:22Ben Meiselas:Now, I reported earlier that Donald Trump's basically gone MIA today. I showed you his schedule from earlier this morning. Trump's schedule consists of executive time and meetings closed to the press all day. But Caroline Levitt, Donald Trump's chief propagandist, did hold a press conference moments ago. So before that, Melania gave a speech to the world, which I'm not going to show you because it was as cringy as can be. And it just makes an utter humiliation of our country. But she did arrive with a robot. This is what went down. I'm just going to show you six seconds. Play this clip.

6:06Ben Meiselas:yeah those six seconds i should say are sick seconds because what the hell are we even watching there caroline levin levit donald trump's chief propagandist then held her press conference where she says by all accounts the iranian regime has been decimated they're looking for an off-ramp They are begging right now for a deal when that's not what's happening at all. But she's a propagandist. She's the Baghdad Bob in the United States. Remember when we would make fun of Baghdad Bob? Well, we have a worse version of that. It's Caroline Levitt. Let's play this clip. That's why you're beginning to see the regime look for an exit ramp.

6:45They recognize they are being crushed. Their ability to attack American and ally forces, as well as their ability to defend their own territory is dwindling literally hour by hour.

6:56Ben Meiselas:She then talks about how Trump has had a unique skill to bring allies together and keep them on board with America's invasion of Iran, despite no ally joining. But OK, play this clip. The president thinks that all of the allies will go along with whatever the U.S. concludes with these Iranians. Are you expecting that Israel and all the other allies will follow whatever agreement is made? I think the president has shown that he is absolutely the leader of the free world, the head of the most powerful military in the world. And in various examples, the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, the president has shown a very unique skill at getting our allies to get on board with what's in the best interest of the United States, but also the world in cases of foreign policy like this.

7:46Ed.

7:47Ben Meiselas:Then Caroline Levitt is asked, so do you consider what's taken place regime change, where you have the same Islamic Republic regime, but more extreme people in leadership roles? And she's like, well, we did get rid of the old people, right? Here, play this clip. Go ahead. The president yesterday said that he had achieved regime change in Iran because the regime has changed in terms of. I mean, has it not? Well, the leadership. Their entire leadership has been killed and nobody has really seen or legitimately heard from this alleged new leader. So wouldn't you say there's been a change in the regime?

8:25Ben Meiselas:There's been a change in leadership. I mean, do you feel as though? There's been a change in the regime leadership, which is what the president said. So thank you for confirming he is right. I mean, do you feel? Next, a reporter asks Caroline Levitt, Trump's chief propagandist, should the U.S. have a role in choosing Iran's next leadership? And it's like, what world are you even living in? Are you watching what's actually happening in the region? What are these questions? What are we even talking about? Iran has, if anything, solidified its control over the Strait of Hormuz. They're emboldened and they've already had the oil sanctions lifted against them.

8:57Ben Meiselas:But here play this clip. Thank you, Caroline. On March 6th, the president said in the interview with Reuters that the U.S. should have a role in choosing Iran's next leadership. Now that we're almost four weeks into the operation, is that still the president's assessment of where it should go? As I've said repeatedly, I think the president obviously believes the United States wants to have someone in leadership position in the Iranian regime that will be much more favorable, that will be willing to work with the United States, that will no longer chant death to America. These would obviously be good common sense things for the United States and for our allies.

9:33I think that's what the president meant when he spoke with Reuters that day.

9:36Ben Meiselas:Then Caroline Levitt says any violence beyond this point will be because Iran refused to understand that they've already been defeated. What kind of stupid thing is that to say? Here, play this clip. President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again. Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their Navy, their Air Force and their air defense system. Any violence beyond this point will be because the Iranian regime refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come to a deal. More from Trump's chief propagandist, a reporter asks, so is there a point to which Donald Trump will actually, you know, go to Congress for authorization for war, which is required by the law?

10:22Ben Meiselas:And Levitt's like, no, because it's not a war. This is a special military operation. By the way, the exact language Putin uses to invade Ukraine. Play this clip. Two questions for you. First, if the war in Iran continues past this current round of peace talks and with thousands of troops on their way to the Middle East. Is there a point, either a number of ground troops or a number of days at which the president will consider seeking authorization from Congress? Well, as you know, right now, that formal authorization from Congress is not necessary because we're currently in major combat operations in Iran.

10:56The Department of War and the president, as I said, estimated about a four to six week timeline for the full completion of these military combat operations. We're again on day 25 today. And as a courtesy, nevertheless, the administration did notify Congress, the Gang of Eight, ahead of the launch of the operation 25 days ago. And we've also had our top national security officials go to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers, again, out of courtesy and out of respect for them. So at this moment, it's unnecessary. But of course, the president in this administration will always abide by the law.

11:28Ben Meiselas:A reporter then says that, look, Caroline, you know, Iran has rejected the 15-point plan. they're saying it on all Iranian TV to which Caroline says we've never even proposed a 15 point plan the White House never confirmed that yes you did yesterday Donald Trump was the one who said 15 point plan here play this clip within the past few hours Iranian state TV has said that Iran has rejected the U.S.'s 15 point plan to end the war what's the White House's response to that and have these talks hit a dead end? They have not. Talks continue. They are productive as the president said on Monday and they continue to be.

12:09However, I saw a 15 point plan that was floated in the media. I would caution reporters in this room from reporting about speculative points or speculative plans from anonymous sources. The White House never confirmed that full plan. There are elements of truth to it but some of the stories I read were not entirely really factual. So I am not going to negotiate on behalf of the president here at the podium. What I will tell you is these talks are ongoing. We're not going to get into the nitty gritty details that have been exchanged between the United States and Iran.

12:40Ben Meiselas:Then Caroline Levitt starts talking about young voters and she's like to all the young voters out there, we're doing this for you. Trump is saving you right now. I don't believe young voters feel that way. Caroline, play this clip. President Trump is doing this for you. He's doing this for young people so that we are no longer threatened by a rogue terrorist regime in the Middle East that seeks to kill the brave men and women who serve in our country in the Middle East, many of them young people themselves, young men and women who serve this country honorably in uniform and have been threatened, killed and maimed by the rogue Iranian terrorist regime for 47 years.

13:17President Trump finally had the courage to step up and do what's right by our national security, our homeland security. As for the temporary short-term fluctuation in gas prices, The president has said once these combat operations are over, this administration is going to continue to unleash American energy dominance. We're continuing to do that every day, and we're going to see prices at the pump go back down just as we have over the past year because of this president.

13:43Ben Meiselas:Then Caroline Levitt attacks Joe Kent, who was one of Donald Trump's top counterintelligence officials until Kent resigned last week abruptly because he disagreed with the disastrous war in Iran. And now Caroline says that he has zero credibility. He's a ridiculous individual and he resigned in disgrace. He's as MAGA and he was as Trumpy as you get. This is what MAGA does. This is what the cult does, right? You want to bring transparency to the Epstein files. You're a disgrace. You stand against unlawful wars. You're a disgrace. Play the clip. Thank you, Caroline. I was wondering I'm wondering if you would respond to some of this criticism of the administration from past allies like Joe Kent, who have said that the president's red line shifted from Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon to Iran cannot pursue nuclear enrichment.

14:40What is the administration's response to that criticism? I think the president and I have both strongly responded to the criticism by Mr. Kent, who unfortunately resigned in disgrace and accused the president of basically being controlled by foreign countries and foreign manipulation, which is a ridiculous and laughable assertion. So his accusations have zero credibility as far as this White House is concerned. The question of the red line shifting from no nuclear weapon to no nuclear enrichment. Does, is there any substance to that argument? I think the president has been quite clear in what he wants to see from the Iranian regime, which is why he chose to launch Operation Epic Fury in the first place.

15:19Reagan.

15:19Ben Meiselas:A reporter then asks a pretty basic question, Caroline. So who exactly is the U.S. speaking with in Iran? She's like, oh, I can't tell you that. That's super secret information. Play this clip. Who exactly who exactly the U.S. is negotiating with in Iran and why the U.S. and this administration trust that person? Again, as I said to Gabe's question earlier, we're not going to get into the details of these negotiations and conversations that continue to take place. As of course, you can imagine, they are very sensitive diplomatic discussions. And I would reiterate, I do recall giving all of you the same answer when we were negotiating the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, gave you the same answer throughout the 12 day war between Iran and Israel, gave you the same answer with respect to many of the other global conflicts that this administration has negotiated solutions to.

16:05um president trump is going to give uh his diplomats the the freedom that they need to have these sensitive diplomatic discussions without negotiating and litigating them through

16:15Ben Meiselas:the news media and then caroline levitt is asked if these negotiations are not successful then do we do a ground invasion the negotiations are not successful already they're not okay like why are we pretending that there are successful negotiations watch what she says play this clip I have questions on the straight up form that is, if these negotiations are not successful, is the only option to open, to reopen the straight in boots on the ground, given that all of our allies have essentially said that they are unable or unwilling to help? Look, that's a hypothetical question. It's a, it's a, it's a hypothetical question.

16:51It's also a decision that would have to be made by the commander in chief, and I'm not going to get ahead of him.

16:56Ben Meiselas:And then Caroline Levitt finishes off by saying the only person who you can trust is Donald Trump. Trust in Trump and nobody else. Here, play it. Can you say what is accurate with respect to ballistic missiles, the nuclear ambitions and the Strait of Hormuz, which are things that the president has laid out that he wants to see a couple of times in the past? If you've heard it from the president of the United States, obviously it's true. Ridiculous indeed. Let me know what you all think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching and have a great one.

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