How American Media Cheerlead for Iran While Betraying the U.S. War Effort

Word count: 1076; Estimated reading time: 4.0 minutes

Dear Friend of Israel, Friend of FLAME:

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman recently remarked, “I really want to see Iran defeated,” but, “I really don’t want to see Bibi Netanyahu or Donald Trump politically strengthened by this war because they are two awful human beings. And so I really find myself torn.”

Mainstream media, including Friedman, oppose President Trump (and Netanyahu) so much that they’re willing to discredit the U.S. war effort against Iran, effectively cheerleading for the Islamic Republic—just to harm the President. No wonder American legacy media parrot seven main lies about the war, designed to turn the public against Trump and, often, also Israel.

Seven Lies the Media Tell About the U.S. War in Iran

1.    The economic cost is too high/unreasonable.

2.    Trump has failed to reach a diplomatic solution.

3.    The war poses risks to American troops or danger of a “forever” war.

4.    The war is unjustified (a “war of choice”); and lacks clear goals/strategies.

5.    It’s unlikely this war makes America or the world safer.

6.    Israel (or Netanyahu) dragged the U.S. into the war.

7.    The U.S. is “stuck” in or is“ losing” the war.

Although none of these lies stands up to factual scrutiny, together they’ve proven effective at turning Americans against Trump and the Iran War. Indeed, polls indicate many Americans believe their lies. In short, the media’s strategy for covering the Iran war is that of activist advocacy. Rather than reporting the facts, the media work to defeat America’s elected government—and America itself.

Lie #1: Iran War is too costly.

• Our Vacations. Our Food. Our Mortgages. The Iran War Will Change Our Lives”—New York Times, April 7, 2026

• “White House Fields Warnings About Iran War’s Economic Hit” (Wall Street Journal, April 12, 2026).

Experts estimate the average American consumer will pay an extra $500 to $1,500 per year because of the Iran War. But estimates also show that the average consumer could pay an extra $5,000 to $10,000 per year if the U.S. had to confront a nuclear Iran. Bottom line: The cost of the current war to American consumers pales in comparison to what consumers would pay if the U.S. had to confront a nuclear-armed Iran.

Lie #2: Trump fails to achieve a diplomatic solution.

• “U.S. Appears Cold to Iranian Proposal to End the War Without a Nuclear Deal”—Associated Press via NewsNation, April 28, 2026.

• “Iran War and Strait of Hormuz Stuck in Limbo as Trump Mulls Latest Iranian Offer”—CBS News, April 29, 2026.

Trump has relentlessly tried to achieve a diplomatic solution with Iran, but talks have failed because of Iran’s refusal to make concessions on nuclear enrichment and regional behavior. Only when diplomacy failed did Trump act militarily. He then agreed to a ceasefire last month, giving diplomacy yet another chance, but so far, Iran still refuses to negotiate a fair deal that would end its nuclear threat.

Lie #3: The war was unnecessary and lacked clear goals.

• “President Trump’s War of Choice with Iran Has Paid Little Attention to Past Mistakes”—New York Times, April 24, 2026.

• “Trump’s blurry vision of victory in Iran”—Axios, April 1, 2026

The war was indeed necessary. Iran was just days or weeks from nuclear breakout, with enough material to build 10 nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the Trump Administration set clear, attainable goals: Destroy Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production facilities; annihilate the Iranian navy and associated infrastructure; degrade and sever support for terrorist proxies, and; ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon by striking enrichment sites, weaponization research facilities, and related infrastructure.

Lie #4: Iran War unduly risks U.S. personnel and prolonged conflict.

• “The Death of Three U.S. Service Members in the First 24 Hours Puts Trump’s Anti-War Promises to the Test”—Axios, March 2, 2026.

• “Is the U.S. Repeating the Mistakes That Led to Forever Wars?”—Wall Street Journal op-ed, March 25, 2026.

Actually, the U.S. has managed to achieve its war goals: Destroy Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production facilities; Annihilate the Iranian navy and associated infrastructure; degrade and sever support for terrorist proxies, and; ensure Iran at least for a decade or more does not acquire a nuclear weapon by striking enrichment sites, weaponization research facilities, and related infrastructure—all within just six weeks, with only 13 U.S. personnel killed, avoiding prolonged conflict and heavy casualties.

Lie #5: Iran War hasn’t made the U.S. or the rest of the world safer.

• “The Iran War Is Making America Less Safe”—Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, March 26, 2026.

• “Has the War Against Iran Made the World Safer? Expert Weighs In” [Answer:”Not really!”] —Forbes,  April 15, 2026

Iran’s belligerent behavior—being the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, attacking international shipping, building nuclear weapons—threatened the U.S. and the entire world.

Both the U.S. and the world at large are much safer now that Iran’s most dangerous war-making capabilities have been largely eliminated, including its nuclear infrastructure, missile and drone capabilities, and naval forces.

Lie #6: Israel forced the U.S. into war with Iran.

• “Trump Approved Iran Operation After Netanyahu Argued Joint Killing of Khamenei, sources say”—Reuters, March 23, 2026

• “Push from Israel Helped Move Trump to Attack Iran”—Washington Post, February 28, 2026.

President Trump is one of the world’s strongest, most independent leaders. His decision was consistent with American interests,  his strategy of “peace through strength,” and his vow that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.” Moreover, Trump has repeatedly disputed any suggestion that Israel forced his hand

Lie #7: Trump leaves the U.S. stuck in a war that America is losing.

• “Trump aides leak fears of toxic stalemate”—Daily Beast, April 28, 2026.

• “Trump is losing the war in Iran”—Washington Post, March 30, 2026

This lie is refuted by the war’s rapid timeline, decisive degradation of Iranian military capabilities, achievement of core U.S. objectives within weeks, transition to a ceasefire phase with ongoing leverage via naval blockade, low U.S. casualties relative to effects inflicted, and Iran’s weakened strategic position.

Please make the point when speaking with family, friends, colleagues—or in letters to the editor—that mainstream media work consistently to defeat Trump at any cost, even if it means cheerleading for a regime bent on America’s destruction.

Thus, legacy media peddle lies designed to turn Americans against Trump and the U.S. war effort at the expense of what Americans deserve from the press—unbiased, fact-based journalism.

If you agree we need to spread this truth, please use your email browser to forward this Hotline issue to fellow lovers of Israel—and encourage them to join us by subscribing to the Hotline at no charge.

Best regards,
Jason Shvili, Contributing Editor
Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME)

P.S.      Surely, you’ve recently read of some celebrity, politician, radical student, foreign head of state or media pundit slander Israel with the “Gaza genocide” lie. Many who spread this lie are ignorant, but most are anti-Israel haters. They care nothing for the truth. The tragedy is, when they utter the Gaza genocide falsehood, too few knowledgeable people—and virtually no media—stand up to refute it. Indeed, when you share the simple facts, the genocide lie crumbles. Upon learning that Israel conducts its war against Hamas terrorists with the highest ethical standards—and that nothing Israel does in Gaza fits the definition of genocide—fair-minded people quickly see through the lie. I hope you’ll agree that we supporters of the Israel-U.S. relationship need to speak out. FLAME’s new hasbarah—explanatory message—“Facts Shatter Gaza Genocide Lies”—describes what genocide is and is not and proves factually that Israel’s tactics in the war are ethical and righteous. It also reveals demographic data showing that the Palestinian population in Gaza is actually increasing. Finally, it notes that those who spread the Gaza genocide lie fit the classic definition of antisemites. Please review this convincing, fact-based editorial, which FLAME is about to publish to millions—in leading social media, as well as in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Tampa Bay Times, Denver Post and Los Angeles Times. This piece will also be sent to all members of Congress, the President and Vice President. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel’s behalf is critical, I urge you to support us with a donation.