Trump Is Wishcasting Victory in Iran

Radio Atlantic

The Atlantic

News, Society & Culture, Politics

4.3 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 9 April 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

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Summary

Last weekend, on Easter Sunday, President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social: “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!” On Tuesday, he posted again: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” Hours later—after ongoing talks, and condemnation by world leaders and American lawmakers from both parties—the United States agreed to a two-week cease-fire with Iran. The Atlantic’s Adam Harris talks to the staff writers Tom Nichols and Nancy Youssef about where the two countries can go from here and what happens when genocidal threats become political policy. Further reading: “Did Trump Just Threaten to Use Nuclear Weapons in Iran?” by Tom Nichols “Trump Made a Deal That Gives Him Nothing He Wanted” by Nancy A. Youssef --- Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The Atlantic has debuted a first of its kind collaboration with the Seaborne cruise line to bring great minds on board their luxury ships.
0:07.6	Join us for a 12-day voyage with the Atlantic.
0:10.6	Discover this sailing from Montreal to Boston and more at seaborne.com.
0:23.6	This is Radio Atlantic.
0:25.9	I'm Adam Harris in for Hanna Rosen.
0:30.7	This week began with President Trump giving Iran an ultimatum.
0:37.0	Open up the Strait of Hormuz, cut a deal, or face attacks on civilian infrastructure.
0:45.9	We have a plan because of the power of our military, where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o'clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again.
0:57.4	I mean, complete demolition.
0:59.5	That was him speaking at a Monday press conference.
1:01.8	The next morning, he was even more direct.
1:05.1	A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again, he declared on truth social.
1:11.6	I don't want that to happen, but it probably will.
1:16.1	In the hours before his Tuesday night deadline, the United States announced a two-week ceasefire
1:21.4	while the talks play out.
1:23.6	The deal already looked shaky, with Israel striking targets in Lebanon and Iranian state
1:28.7	media saying the straight is again closed in response.
1:32.5	Talks are set to begin in Pakistan this weekend.
1:35.6	But in the meantime, the president can't take back his words.
1:39.8	Words that appear to meet the UN definition of genocide, and when uttered by a world leader, are taken
1:45.8	as policy.
1:47.5	To understand what comes next, I'm joined by two Atlantic staff writers who follow the military
	...

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