The president stopped by his Doral golf club for a retreat to tout the Iran war and encourage Republican lawmakers ahead of the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump calls for Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’
President Donald Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” in a social media post.
DORAL, Fla. — President Donald Trump has cast the war with Iran as a “quick excursion” during a retreat for House Republicans and portrayed the ongoing U.S. bombing campaign as necessary.
“I went out a little bit because I felt like we had to do that to eliminate evil,” Trump told Republican lawmakers and donors, in an apparent reference to the conflict. “And I think it will be a short trip.”
Trump stopped by a retreat at a Miami-area golf club to try to galvanize Republican lawmakers, who would need their support to pass legislation to supplement the Pentagon’s budget if he chooses to continue attacking Iran. Congressional Republicans overwhelmingly support the war, but polls show most Americans oppose President Trump’s handling of the conflict.
The United States and Israel have killed hundreds of Iranians, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. At least 175 people were killed in the attack on the girls’ school. Seven American soldiers were also killed.
President Trump is fending off a revolt by some in the MAGA movement over repeated military attacks on foreign countries, including the recently ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who campaigned against endless wars.
The president noted that past military conflicts haunt his predecessors, citing former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and Jimmy Carter’s handling of the Iran hostage crisis.
President Trump said Carter was a “victim of the election.” But the president said military operations in Iran and Venezuela are different.
“We really worked hard. We got all the good stuff,” he said.
The president is eager to give the war a short-term deadline, as public opinion polls suggest there is little public appetite for prolonging the conflict. An NBC News poll released March 4 found that 77% of Republicans support attacking Iran, while 54% of Americans oppose President Trump’s handling of the issue.
President Trump said at a news conference after the withdrawal that the war would not end this week. “No, but soon,” he said. When asked, he added, “I’ll think about it soon.”
In previous remarks, President Trump has described Iran as a “dark cloud” looming over Israel and the region.
“I think they were trying to conquer the Middle East,” Trump said. “They were going to attack us within a week.”
“Everyone wants to rule the world”
The music inside the Republican convention was festive, with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” blaring before Trump’s remarks, followed by Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” But morale within the House Republican caucus is low, and Democrats are likely to take control of the House after the November elections, needing to win a net three seats to secure a majority.
At least 30 Republicans will leave Congress. Some are looking for another office. Others are retired. The couple lost the primary election. Last week, fellow California Rep. Darrell Issa added his name to the list. Mr. Issa would have faced a tough battle in a newly redrawn congressional district that favors Democrats.
On the same afternoon as President Trump’s remarks, California Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he was leaving the Republican Party to become an independent, dealing a further blow to the Republican majority. Kiley said he will continue to caucus with Republicans to keep his seat.
Incumbent presidents typically lose Congress in midterm elections. The Republicans lost the House of Representatives midway through President Trump’s first term, and Republicans regained control two years after President Biden took office.
At a retreat before Trump’s arrival, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain acknowledged that the Republican Party is bearing the weight of public dissatisfaction with the Iran war and the economy.
“I don’t know about you, but history got it very wrong this year,” McClain said, referring to President Trump’s 2024 re-election and the Republicans’ massive tax and spending cuts bill in 2025. “I think we’re going to defy history again.”
After touting his actions in Iran, President Trump turned to affordability.
“Our message is simple: Democrats created high prices, and our policies will end them once and for all,” he said.
This message is complicated by the fact that President Trump’s tariffs have increased prices. Gasoline prices are soaring due to tight oil supplies due to the Iran war, which could make it difficult to sell.
But Trump continued to argue that he used tariffs as leverage to push for deals “that no other president could have made.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who spoke to President Trump at the event, expressed a similar view.
In introducing Trump, Johnson said he would receive a call from Trump early in the morning and said, “Right now, he’s the best choice.” “This president tries to solve problems as soon as he sees them.”
