President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack Monday on lawmakers from both parties who have questioned the terms of a reported U.S.-Iran deal aimed at ending the three-month conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump derided Democrats, "RINOs" (Republicans in Name Only), and "Fools" for criticizing an agreement that he insisted has not yet been finalized. "I laugh at all of the Dumocrats, RINOS, and Fools who know nothing about the potential deal I am making with Iran," he wrote, using his trademark nickname for Democrats.
The president singled out three Republican lawmakers by name: retiring Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Tillis, Cassidy, and Massie have all faced political setbacks recently—Tillis is retiring, Cassidy lost his primary earlier this month to Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow, and Massie also lost his primary to a Trump-endorsed challenger.
Trump accused them of joining "almost all" Democrats in "constantly supporting bad policy and even worse candidates" and criticizing "each and every fantastic win" of his administration. "These people should go home and rest, they do nothing but create division and loss," he added. "In other words, they are losers!"
Deal Details Emerge
Multiple news outlets have reported that the Trump administration and Iranian officials are nearing an agreement. According to CBS News, the proposed deal would see the U.S. lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for Tehran disposing of its highly enriched uranium. The administration would also ease some sanctions on Iran.
Tillis voiced his opposition on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, telling host Jake Tapper that the reported arrangement "does not make sense" to him. Cassidy voted in favor of a resolution requiring congressional authorization for any military force against Iran, which passed the Senate 50–47 earlier this week. The chamber is on recess until June 1, when a floor vote on the motion is expected. Massie has consistently backed similar limits on presidential war powers regarding Iran.
Trump contrasted his approach with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by the Obama administration. "It will be the exact opposite of the JCPOA disaster negotiated by the failed Obama Administration, which was a direct and open path to a Nuclear Weapon for Iran," he wrote. "No, I don't do deals like that!"
Administration Defends Talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back against critics who suggest the deal gives Iran an advantage. "The idea that somehow this president—given everything he's already proven he's willing to do—is going to somehow agree to a deal that ultimately winds up putting Iran in a stronger position when it comes to nuclear ambitions is absurd," Rubio said during a press conference in India.
The internal GOP battle over Iran echoes broader divides within the party. As Trump's Iran deal nears a GOP revolt, some Republicans worry the administration is repeating past mistakes. Others, like Sen. Rand Paul, have defended the negotiations, arguing that diplomacy is preferable to another Middle Eastern war. The split mirrors tensions visible in other policy fights, such as the party's division over Trump's 'lawfare' fund and immigration legislation.
Trump ended his Memorial Day message with another jab at his opponents: "Happy Memorial Day to all, including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military and all of the tremendous success that it has had over the last year. God Bless those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I love you all!"
The president has promised that any final deal will be "great and meaningful" and has warned that if it is not, "there will be no deal."
