Trump threatens new attacks against Iran if talks fail

The episode of *The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell* delivers a scathing critique of Donald Trump’s foreign and economic policies, focusing on his escalation of conflict with Iran and the resulting surge in inflation, gas prices, and global instability. The host details how Trump’s war in Iran—launched without a clear strategy or allied support—has led to 13 U.S. service member deaths, nearly 400 wounded, and a near 40% spike in gas prices. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, with Iran now asserting control and demanding tolls, a development the New Yorker calls a 'new status quo sanctioned by Trump.' Trump’s belligerent rhetoric, including threats of 'complete decimation' if talks fail, is contrasted with his domestic distractions, such as the construction of a $400 million ballroom and a proposed 250-foot arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery—projects criticized as wasteful and self-serving. The episode highlights growing frustration among U.S. allies, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron publicly rebuking Trump’s erratic behavior. Meanwhile, in Iowa, Republican Congressman Zach Nunn faces a tough re-election battle after hosting a fundraiser for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during an ongoing war that killed six Iowans. Democratic candidate Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran minister, frames the race as a moral choice against Trump’s war and economic policies. The episode also covers the explosive allegations against Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, who faces accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, prompting calls for him to drop out of the California gubernatorial race and raising questions about his future in Congress.