Administration

O’Reilly: Trump can’t afford to restart Iran war, and can’t afford not to

Comments:

by Sophie Brams - 05/05/26 10:16 AM ET

Comments:

Link copied

by Sophie Brams - 05/05/26 10:16 AM ET

Comments:

Link copied

NOW PLAYING

Political commentator Bill O’Reilly said Monday that President Trump can neither afford to resume the conflict with Iran or afford not to, as recent polling suggests Americans are growing increasingly unsatisfied with the handling of the war and the economy.

“Well, it’s both,” O’Reilly told host Leland Vittert in an appearance on NewsNation’s “On Balance.”

“Because if there’s an opportunity to nail this thing down so that the mullahs allow weapons inspectors in to examine the uranium and ballistic missiles, which is what has to be in any treaty, the other things will fall into place,” he added.

O’Reilly noted that reaching an agreement that constrains Tehran’s nuclear program — which Trump administration officials view as a nonnegotiable to any peace deal — is “exceedingly difficult,” however.

“I said at the beginning of this…[it’s] the biggest gamble President Trump’s ever taken his entire life on anything because it’s not like Venezuela. It’s not like other countries,” the former Fox News host continued. “They don’t care whether they live or die, or their people live or die; however, they don’t really have a lot of resources left, the Iranians.”

He also argued it was too soon to “call it,” saying the president was waiting to see if the Iranians would “go down…with the ship” and “give the world a break.”

The U.S. and Iran have been indirectly negotiating via Pakistani intermediaries for several weeks on a longer-term deal to end hostilities, but those talks have stalled over the future of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Heightening tensions in the Strait of Hormuz in recent days are also testing the fragile truce between the two nations, with the countries exchanging fire on Monday as they struggle for control of the critical oil shipping lane.

U.S. military assets are helping “guide” commercial vessels through the waterway as part of “Project Freedom,” which Iranian officials have alleged is a violation of the ceasefire.

Iranian state media reported on Monday that two missiles struck a U.S. naval ship, a claim U.S. Central Command disputed as false. Adm. Brad Cooper told reporters, however, American forces destroyed six small Iranian boats after Iranian forces opened fire on U.S. warships and commercial vessels.

The standoff in the Hormuz Strait has roiled global markets since the conflict began in late February, causing a surge in oil and gas prices.

The economic squeeze has emerged as a potential liability for Republicans ahead of the midterms, with recent polling showing warning signs of voter backlash.

An Associated Press-NORC Research Center survey released last week found that Trump’s approval rating on the economy at 30 percent — a 9-point drop from before the war started in February.

The president defended his economic record while speaking to seniors at The Villages, a prominent retirement community in Florida, last week, suggesting energy prices would come “tumbling down” once ships carrying oil are able to safely transit the strait.

Asked whether the Trump administration’s messaging or voter sentiment mattered more on the economy, O’Reilly argued it was split.

“Fifty percent of the country, according to polling, if good news is delivered, will accept the good news, and overall, they understand why the conflict is happening,” he said. “The other half hates Trump, or they’re Democrats, and they want power in the midterms.”

“So about half the country is still listening to the president and his Cabinet,” O’Reilly added.

Add as preferred source on Google