How much is the Iran war costing Donald Trump?
5/13/202632 min
Jessica Gardner on why Xi Jinping is the quiet winner from the war, how much the conflict has cost Donald Trump and what it means for the midterm elections and the rest of his presidency.
This podcast is sponsored by Westpac
Further reading:
MAGA still supports war strongman Trump. But that’s not enough
On the streets of Miami and Palm Beach, havens for Donald Trump supporters, the president’s war in Iran gets unswerving trust – or at least the benefit of the doubt.
Off the reins: Xi, Trump set for summit with a difference
Neither leader needs any more drama than they already have, so they will instead seek an easy path to stability in the world’s most important bilateral relationship.
Trump says US-Iran ceasefire on ‘massive life support’
The US president accused Tehran of reneging on a promise to drop its nuclear ambitions as part of a deal to end the war, which threatens his meeting with Xi Jinping.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsLisa Murray· Host0:00
[digital audio sting] The Australian Financial Review.
Donald Trump· Soundbite0:06
[pensive music] I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support where the doctor walks in and says, "Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living."
Lisa Murray· Host0:23
The negotiations to end the war against Iran are not going well.
Donald Trump· Soundbite0:28
It's unbelievably weak, I would say. I would call it the weakest right now after reading a piece of garbage they sent us. I didn't even finish reading it.
Lisa Murray· Host0:38
As Donald Trump meets with Xi Jinping in Beijing, there's still no peace deal, and the longer the war drags on, the more it's costing the US president, both in terms of his popularity and the billions of dollars being spent.
Jessica Gardner· Guest0:52
The Pentagon asked Congress for up to another $200 billion in extra funding to pay for this conflict. That's a lot of money, especially when you consider just over a week ago US federal debt surpassed 100% of GDP for the first time since World War II.
Lisa Murray· Host1:07
Welcome to The Fin. I'm Lisa Murray. This week, United States correspondent Jessica Gardner on why China is emerging as the quiet winner from the war, how much the conflict has cost Donald Trump, and what it means for the midterm elections and the rest of his presidency.