Trump’s 2011 Statement on Obama and Iran
In 2011, Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that President Barack Obama would start a war with Iran because, according to Trump, Obama lacked negotiation skills and was seeking re-election. Trump stated in a video blog from November 2011:
“Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He’s weak and he’s ineffective. So the only way he figures that he’s going to get re-elected — and as sure as you’re sitting there — is to start a war with Iran”.
He echoed this sentiment in several tweets and interviews throughout 2011 and 2012, suggesting that Obama would use military action against Iran as a political tool to boost his chances in the 2012 presidential election.
November 16, 2011 (Video Blog): Trump said, “Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He’s weak and he’s ineffective. So the only way he figures that he’s going to get reelected… is to start a war with Iran”.
November 29, 2011 (Twitter): Trump tweeted, “In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran”.
2012 (Interviews): Trump reiterated his claim, stating on radio and TV that Obama would attack Iran before the election for political gain.