APRIL FOOL
Fact-checking Trump's address on the war in Iran
BY: Vedika BAHL
03/04/2026
BY: Vedika BAHL
03/04/2026
FRANCE24
4:35 min
In a 19-minute address to the nation from the White House on Wednesday, President Donald Trump defended his war in Iran, now entering its second month, presenting the operation as a success “nearing completion.” But the President also stretched the truth on several points, including certain battlefield victories and the state of the US economy. Among the most striking claims was that the United States had toppled Iran's government and achieved “regime change” following the deaths of senior officials, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Despite these losses at the top, there is no evidence that Iran’s governing system has collapsed or that power has shifted away from the Islamic Republic. Analysts say the core institutions of the regime remain intact, with no clear signs of political transition underway.
Trump also asserted that the United States currently has “no inflation” and is “totally independent” of Middle Eastern oil. These statements conflict with the latest US government data, which show inflation rising even before the conflict in Iran began. They also overlook oil’s role as a global commodity, which affects prices at the US pump.
Vedika Bahl examines Trump’s claims and separates fact from fiction in Truth or Fake.
In a 19-minute address to the nation from the White House on Wednesday, President Donald Trump defended his war in Iran, now entering its second month, presenting the operation as a success “nearing completion.” But the President also stretched the truth on several points, including certain battlefield victories and the state of the US economy. Among the most striking claims was that the United States had toppled Iran's government and achieved “regime change” following the deaths of senior officials, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Despite these losses at the top, there is no evidence that Iran’s governing system has collapsed or that power has shifted away from the Islamic Republic. Analysts say the core institutions of the regime remain intact, with no clear signs of political transition underway.
Trump also asserted that the United States currently has “no inflation” and is “totally independent” of Middle Eastern oil. These statements conflict with the latest US government data, which show inflation rising even before the conflict in Iran began. They also overlook oil’s role as a global commodity, which affects prices at the US pump.
Vedika Bahl examines Trump’s claims and separates fact from fiction in Truth or Fake.
HE DIDN'T MENTION NATO IN HIS SPEECH
US President Donald Trump said he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO in an interview published Wednesday by Britain's Daily Telegraph, describing the Western alliance as a "paper tiger". The threat comes after European allies declined to join his war against Iran.
Issued on: 01/04/2026
By: FRANCE 24
US President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the Davos forum in Switzerland on January 21, 2026. © Evan Vucci, AP file photo
US President Donald Trump said he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO after allies failed to back US military action against Iran, according to an interview with Britain's Daily Telegraph.
Trump described the alliance as a "paper tiger" and said removing the United States from the defence pact was now "beyond reconsideration", the newspaper reported. He said he had long held doubts about NATO's credibility.
"Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration," Trump told the newspaper when asked about whether he would reconsider US membership of the alliance after the conflict.
"I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin knows that too, by the way."
US President Donald Trump said he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO after allies failed to back US military action against Iran, according to an interview with Britain's Daily Telegraph.
Trump described the alliance as a "paper tiger" and said removing the United States from the defence pact was now "beyond reconsideration", the newspaper reported. He said he had long held doubts about NATO's credibility.
"Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration," Trump told the newspaper when asked about whether he would reconsider US membership of the alliance after the conflict.
"I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin knows that too, by the way."
© France 24
05:22
05:22
Asked about Trump’s comments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain remained "fully committed to NATO", which he described as "the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen".
Starmer told reporters that whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I am going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions I make."
A German government spokesperson also reaffirmed Berlin's commitment to the Western alliance, noting that the US president has made similar comments in the past.
"This isn't the first time he's done this, and since it's a recurring phenomenon, you can probably judge the consequences for yourself," said the spokesperson at a regular government press conference.
"It's not my place here to comment on the American president's words. I simply want to state on behalf of the German government that we are, of course, committed to NATO."
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
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