Trump calls Iran conflict ‘small potatoes,’ as he plays down war

U.S. President Donald Trump described the ongoing conflict in Iran as "small potatoes," diminishing the significance of a war that has persisted for more than half a year. This sentiment surfaced the day after Vice President Mike Pence opted not to label the military actions as a "war," stating that the hostilities had concluded months earlier. When questioned about VP Pence's stance, President Trump concurred, stating that the conflict was a "military conflict, because it's small potatoes for us. It's not a big thing."

The president further explained that the U.S. engages in intermittent strikes, implying that the conflict is not as extensive as it may appear. Trump drew comparisons between the current death toll of 18 U.S. service members and the wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan, which claimed thousands of American lives over extended periods. Despite acknowledging that "one is too much," Trump emphasized the U.S. achievements, claiming the country had "taken over Venezuela and essentially taken over Iran."

However, Trump's remarks have not gone without criticism. Polls indicate that Americans have given Trump unfavorable ratings for his management of the Iran conflict, which has resulted in rising energy prices for the American public. This has put Republican lawmakers in a precarious position, potentially jeopardizing their control of Congress during the upcoming November midterm elections.

Some Trump officials, seeking to downplay the war's impact, have faced backlash from Democrats. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick inadvertently acknowledged the loss of lives by stating he "misspoke" when he previously claimed no American service members had died in the Iran war.