Trump & Hegseth Are Increasingly Delusional on Hormuz; TACO Incoming?

Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol of The Bulwark's Morning Chaser examine the escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has effectively closed the vital oil passage, disrupting global energy markets. The Trump administration, led by President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth, has responded with aggressive military posturing—bombing campaigns and threats of further strikes—while claiming progress. However, the hosts argue this strategy is delusional: despite the U.S. military's dominance in airpower, Iran maintains economic control over the strait, allowing only a trickle of ships through and refusing to yield. The real danger lies not in military stalemate but in the cascading global economic consequences—rising oil prices, shortages, and supply chain disruptions—especially in Asia and critical industries like semiconductors. Kristol contends that Trump is likely backing away from escalation, signaling a desire to exit the conflict through a face-saving diplomatic deal, possibly involving third-party mediation and implicit concessions. While this could prevent a ground war, the episode warns it would still represent a major foreign policy failure, emboldening Iran and undermining U.S. credibility. The hosts express deep concern over the administration’s lack of consultation with allies and its increasingly detached rhetoric, which they describe as dangerously disconnected from reality.