Statement from DNC Chair Ken Martin on Donald Trump’s Address to the Nation on His War in Iran Arrow

Tonight, Donald Trump addressed the nation in an overdue attempt to explain his unpopular war of choice with Iran that has claimed the lives of at least 13 U.S. service members and injured nearly 350. Trump today said he took to the airwaves to "tell everybody how great I am" while he puts more Americans in harm's way.

Trump and his administration officials have offered shifting timelines for his deadly and costly war. Trump initially claimed that his war would last "four to five weeks," while contradicting himself that the war is "weeks ahead of schedule." Tonight, Trump indicated the war will stretch even longer.

Meanwhile, Americans back home are paying the price for Trump's war, with the average price of a gallon of gasoline hitting a whopping $4.00 yesterday, the largest monthly jump ever recorded. Trump and JD Vance have already spent $25 billion on their war, which could have funded a year of health care for more than three million Americans or food assistance for nearly 30 million children. Just today, Trump said, "We're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care." And according to Goldman Sachs, Trump's war is costing the economy 10,000 jobs per month.

DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement in response to Donald Trump's address to the nation:

"Tonight, Americans watched Donald Trump desperately try to justify his deadly and costly war of choice in Iran that has killed over a dozen brave service members and injured hundreds more. Trump offered no new information to the American people and once again failed to give the public a clear rationale for his war, while he forces them to foot the bill to the tune of billions of dollars and causes their gas prices to skyrocket.

"Trump and JD Vance sold voters on a 'pro-peace,' 'America First' vision for their administration, but it was all bullshit. Working families can't pay their bills, but are stretching their budgets even further while Trump gives tax handouts to billionaires. I am praying for the continued safety of our brave men and women in uniform, their families, and the countless innocent lives being put in harm's way."

Polling confirms that Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump's war with Iran and want the conflict to end. A new poll yesterday found that two-thirds of Americans believe the U.S. should end the war quickly, including 40% of Republicans, and 60% said they disapprove of Trump's war.

Meanwhile, Trump's approval on the economy and inflation hit all-time lows, with a dismal 31% approving of his handling of the economy and nearly two-thirds saying Trump's policies have worsened economic conditions - up 10 points since January.