WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a departure from traditional military justification, the White House has revealed that President Donald Trump’s decision to launch “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran was driven by personal intuition rather than standard intelligence briefings.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that the President acted because he “had a good feeling that the Iranian regime was going to strike United States assets.” This admission comes as the U.S. enters its most significant military conflict in decades, overseen by Trump from his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Intuition Over Intelligence
The administration’s messaging has shifted away from the dense, evidence-based justifications of previous wars. Instead, the conflict is being framed through a lens of “vibes” and media performance:
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The Justification: Leavitt explicitly cited a “good feeling” regarding an imminent threat, rather than presenting declassified intelligence or National Security Council (NSC) findings.
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The Presentation: Official government accounts have shared clips of the military operations stylized like video game footage or blockbuster films.
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The “Performance”: In a Thursday exchange with ABC News, President Trump reportedly asked, “How do you like the performance? I hope you’re impressed.”
A Hollowed-Out Apparatus
Experts and former diplomats have expressed alarm at the lack of formal process. Since returning to power in January 2025, the Trump administration has significantly downsized the NSC. Notably, Marco Rubio now holds a dual role as both Secretary of State and National Security Adviser—positions that have historically remained separate to provide checks and balances.
“I have never seen worse messaging in wartime from a U.S. administration,” said Sean Aday, professor at George Washington University, describing the strategy as a mix of “arrogant” and “amateurish.”
Domestic Reaction and Polling
Unlike the initial surges of patriotism seen at the start of the Afghanistan or Iraq wars, the American public remains deeply divided:
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Opposition: An NBC poll released Wednesday shows 52% of voters oppose the military action.
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Economic Strain: Despite surging gasoline prices—a major risk ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—Trump has brushed aside economic concerns.
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Contradictory Goals: While the Cabinet maintains the U.S. is not seeking “regime change,” Trump has publicly suggested he should be involved in selecting Iran’s next Supreme Leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
