Trump assured Musk and Carlson he wouldn’t go to war with Iran, new book claims

What Happened

According to excerpts from a new book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, titled 'Regime Change,' President Donald Trump assured rightwing commentator Tucker Carlson and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during an Oval Office meeting early last year that he would not go to war with Iran. When Carlson warned that 'they want you to go to war with Iran' and that it would ruin his presidency, Trump replied, 'We’re not doing that.' The book claims that later, on 28 February of this year, Trump nonetheless attacked Iran, leading to a conflict that ended with an agreement signed earlier this week. The Oval Office discussion also reportedly included Trump's graphic descriptions of injuries from Israel's 2024 pager attack on Hezbollah, which he called 'horrible' and described as involving 'mutilated genitals and missing hands.'

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The reported reversal from Trump's private assurance to a later military strike against Iran, as detailed in the book, underscores potential volatility in U.S.-Iran policy and the influence of non-traditional advisers. The revelation could fuel debate over Trump's decision-making process and the role of figures like Carlson in shaping foreign policy, especially against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions with Iran's Axis of Resistance networks.

Watch For

Reaction from the Trump administration to the book's claims, particularly regarding the alleged Oval Office conversation and the decision to attack Iran. Potential impacts on ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran post-agreement, and any statements from Carlson or Musk. The book's publication date on Tuesday will likely generate media coverage and political fallout.