President Donald Trump spent the opening hours of a deadly conflict with Iran inundating Truth Social with throwback clips and jabs at political opponents, prompting heavy criticism as U.S. forces confronted Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.
The 79-year-old president began an extended late-night posting blitz on Monday, March 2, 2026, continuing past midnight with a mix of bragging posts, complaints, and occasional updates on the military operation known as Operation Epic Fury. His intense social media activity unfolded at the same time Iran launched counterstrikes that would ultimately kill six U.S. service members stationed in Kuwait.
Fewer than six hours after ending his nonstop posting session, Trump returned to Truth Social at 5:48 a.m. Tuesday to announce: “TRUTH SOCIAL IS THE BEST! There is nothing even close!!!”
The unusual online behavior occurred only hours after Trump delivered his first lengthy public remarks on the Iran offensive during a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House. During the event, he abruptly shifted from discussing military action to venting about construction noise at the White House and complaints from his wife about pile drivers.
“When you hear all the hammering out there, you know why the first lady is not thrilled exactly,” Trump told attendees. “She said, ‘Will the pile drivers ever stop?’ You know they go from six in the morning until 11:30 in the evening.”
Trump was referring to his $400 million ballroom project underway on the White House grounds, which has grown significantly from its original $200 million estimate. The privately funded initiative—supported by corporations like Palantir, Lockheed Martin, and Meta—has drawn allegations of corruption from Democrats. Trump used the ceremony to brag about choosing gold drapes and selecting doors, claiming his picks “saved curtains.”
Later that Monday night, as Iranian drones targeted the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia, Trump shared a nostalgic video montage of himself and Melania from their 2004 appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” shortly after they became engaged. He also posted articles praising Melania for her historic role presiding over a United Nations Security Council session on children affected by conflict.
Mixed among the complimentary posts were attacks on Senator Mark Kelly and Rep. Jason Crow, who had released a video in November telling troops they “can and must refuse illegal orders.” Trump wrote that “Mark Kelly and the group of Unpatriotic Politicians were WRONG” and accused them of “seditious behavior.” The Justice Department later opened an investigation, but a grand jury declined to indict the lawmakers in February.
Trump also used the posting spree to target Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and Joe Biden. One post about Pelosi demanded to “lock her up,” while he praised Florida Rep. Byron Donalds. He also reposted content describing himself as “the greatest president to ever live.”
Trump’s late-night posting drew backlash from critics who highlighted the stark disconnect between his online behavior and the worsening military situation. As the president shared old engagement clips and lashed out at opponents, six U.S. troops were killed when a drone struck a temporary operations center at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait early Sunday local time.
The Pentagon confirmed all six casualties were members of the Army Reserve. The first four identified Tuesday were Capt. Cody Khork, 35; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20. The remaining two — Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California — were named on Wednesday.
During Monday’s Medal of Honor ceremony, Trump suggested the Iran campaign could continue for “four to five weeks,” though he warned the U.S. was prepared to go “far longer.” The death toll in Iran has climbed to at least 787, according to the Iranian Red Crescent, while the joint U.S.-Israeli operation has already killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with dozens of top officials.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged the harsh reality during a Pentagon briefing. “As the president warned, an effort of this scope will include casualties,” he said. “War is **** and always will be.”
The gap between Trump’s social media posts and the seriousness of the conflict highlighted what critics describe as his unconventional wartime communication style—favoring Truth Social updates, phone interviews, and spontaneous remarks about curtains and construction while Americans serve and die overseas.
