April 9, 2026 | Thursday
Tags: donald-trump, candace-owens, steve-witkoff, alex-jones, tucker-carlson, jared-kushner, megyn-kelly, jd-vance
A U.S.-Iran ceasefire collapses over disputes on Strait of Hormuz access and Israel’s Lebanon strikes, canceling planned talks in Pakistan. President Trump blasts conservative critics like Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones as low-IQ opponents of his Iran stance in a lengthy Truth Social post.
President Trump proclaimed a two-week truce with Iran on Tuesday evening, halting U.S. and allied offensive operations against Iran in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, with negotiations scheduled in Pakistan. The White House specified that the deal required Iran to allow passage without specifying control or tolls, paving the way for talks on a comprehensive peace agreement. Almost immediately, Iran and broker Pakistan countered with a broader interpretation, asserting U.S. acceptance of Iran’s 10-point plan, including rights to uranium enrichment, lifting of all sanctions, withdrawal of 40,000 U.S. troops from the region, and extension of the ceasefire to Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump and Netanyahu publicly denied inclusion of the Lebanon clause or the 10-point concessions, with Trump stating explicitly that the ceasefire applied only to direct U.S.-Iran hostilities and Strait access. Shipping data confirmed the Strait remained effectively closed: four dry cargo container vessels passed on Wednesday, none carrying oil or gas, followed by eight Iranian cargo ships on Thursday, far short of the 15-20 daily promised.
Reports emerged Thursday confirming initial U.S.-Israel agreement to a Lebanon ceasefire, as attested by Pakistan and Iran, only for both to renege, prompting Iran’s parliamentary speaker, acting head of government, to declare the entire deal void. Israel escalated with its deadliest strike in Lebanon since hostilities restarted a month ago, killing nearly 300, while stating openness to talks but refusal to halt bombings of Hezbollah. Iran responded by shuttering the Strait further and canceling Saturday’s Pakistan talks, conditioning participation on Israel’s cessation in Lebanon. U.S. delegates Vice President J.D. Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner arrived in Pakistan prepared for the meeting with Iran’s parliamentary speaker and foreign minister, but Iranian statements reiterated no negotiations amid ongoing Lebanese strikes. Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday criticizing Iran’s Strait compliance and toll demands of $1 per barrel, reversing earlier indications of tolerance, while claiming efforts to restrain Israel, which Netanyahu dismissed by affirming continued operations.
This breakdown exposes Netanyahu’s sabotage as the pivotal factor derailing the truce, prioritizing Israeli objectives over global energy flows. Israel’s post-agreement escalation, defying initial commitments, leveraged the Strait’s closure to force U.S. concessions, transforming Washington into an involuntary mediator against its ally. By linking Strait access to Lebanese hostilities, Iran isolated Israel economically, drawing rebukes from France’s president, Spain’s leader, and others urging halt to bombings, as Europe faces jet fuel shortages and Asia diesel deficits. Trump’s coalition-building persists, soliciting NATO aid to force Strait reopening, floating troop shifts from non-cooperative European bases amid Ukraine tensions, and retaining carriers like the USS George Bush and a Marine expeditionary unit in position. Saturday’s talks face collapse without Israeli restraint, yielding no nuclear curbs or Strait guarantees, merely extending deadlines for military buildup. The farce sustains escalation traps, with Iran conceding nothing while U.S. forces linger, confirming the ceasefire’s artificiality and Netanyahu’s veto power over regional de-escalation.
In a nearly 500-word Truth Social post Thursday, President Trump excoriated Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, Alex Jones, and Marjorie Taylor Greene as “low IQ” losers, nutjobs, and non-MAGA for opposing his Iran war stance. He mocked Carlson’s college dropout status and Fox firing, Kelly’s Rosie O’Donnell fixation, Owens’ Brigitte Macron conspiracy theory while deeming France’s First Lady “far more beautiful,” Jones’ Sandy Hook hoax claims and bankruptcy, and Greene as a “trader.” Trump asserted their third-rate podcasts seek clicks opposite MAGA values of strength against Iran nukes, claiming CNN polls show 100% Trump approval among true supporters, and dismissing outreach as he prioritizes “world and country affairs.” All named figures voted for Trump multiple times, campaigned in 2024, and spoke at the RNC, with Jones defending him through Russia probes, Stop the Steal, and despite personal losses without Trump aid.
This purge narrows MAGA to Fox loyalists like Mark Levin, Lindsey Graham, Randy Fine, and Florida retirees, expelling anti-war voices commanding vast conservative media audiences. Trump’s attacks followed their Iran criticisms post-ceasefire confusion, despite his 2016-2024 pledges of no new wars, contradicting campaign platforms they amplified. Loyalty yields ritual humiliation: Sessions, Bannon, Flynn, and J6 participants discarded despite sacrifices; no Clinton prosecution, wall completion, Russia alliances, or J6 pardons materialized in term one. Post-2024, no mass deportations despite 10 million illegals, instead corporate tax cuts and Iran conflict, de-radicalizing supporters into complacency.
Trump’s dominance suffocates emergent America First alternatives by monopolizing funds, endorsements, and oxygen, blocking politicians and donors from anti-war, pro-deportation paths amid Gaza fallout and immigration crises. Midterm Republican loyalty persists despite disavowals, with Kelly vowing GOP votes even post-nuke threats, enabling Vance’s rise without challenge. This betrayal fractures the base, alienating youth and online radicals who memed 2016 victories, leaving boomers as remnants. Genuine populism demands severing from Trumpism, incubating resentment for 2028 radicalism unhindered by his legacy, euthanizing MAGA to forge a towering America First force from groypers onward.