U.S. President Donald Trump complains that allies did not join America in the fight, but neglects to mention that he launched the war without involving any other country except Israel.
By Sheila Copps
First published in The Hill Times on April 13, 2026.
OTTAWA—Easter is supposed to be the holiest day on the Christian calendar.
It is the day when the Son of God rises from the dead in an effort to free all men from sin, and open the doors to the gates of Heaven.
United States President Donald Trump secured his presidential victory by enlisting religious leaders and their congregations with his promise to stack their Supreme Court with anti-abortion judges, and to ensure that his political team would promote Christian principles.
So it was a little hard to swallow Trump’s Easter Sunday, profanity-laced message of “Praise be to Allah,” and a vow to eradicate the Iranian civilization.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell—JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
The post on his social media outlet prompted a swift reaction from some unusual corners.
Tucker Carlson, a conservative pundit and Trump supporter, called the post “vile on every level.” In a Carlson podcast, he retorted “How dare you speak that way on Easter morning to the country? Who do you think you are? You’re tweeting out the f-word on Easter morning.”
Carlson also accused Trump of mocking the religion of Islam, stating, “no decent person mocks other peoples’ religion. You may have a problem with the theology …but to mock another person’s faith is to mock the idea of faith itself.”
Carlson has joined a growing group of former Trump supporters who are unhappy with the president’s decision to launch military attacks across the Middle East.
Many MAGA supporters were attracted by Trump’s claim that the U.S. did not have to be involved in world conflict. In fact, he promised he would focus on home-grown issues like the economy.
Instead, gas prices have been rising globally throughout the war that Trump started, and the American economy is suffering from tariff-based supply-chain problems and increasing energy costs.
His personal popularity is now lower than at any point in the administration of then-president Joe Biden.
And with the November mid-term elections looming, the president is obviously feeling the heat.
His Easter ‘f**k’ tweet was one of 70 that he apparently posted that day. You wonder who can actually stop him? It appears that he won’t follow the advice of anyone he doesn’t agree with.
Just last week, the U.S. Army chief of staff leading the war effort mysteriously retired.
The New York Times subsequently reported that the reason for Gen. Randy George’s departure was that he refused a request from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to delete two women and two black officers from a promotion list.
Hegseth fired two other officers on the same day, and the retirement notice posted by remaining military personnel was clearly aimed at backing their military leadership and not their political masters.
“Since 1988, General George and his family have consistently answered the nation’s call with honour and dedication. We are profoundly thankful to General George and his wife, Patty, for their many years of sacrifice and devotion to those who serve. As they graduate from this distinguished chapter of service and look toward the future, we wish them both continued happiness and success in all that lies ahead.”
That statement was widely interpreted as a major show of support for the ousted general, and a slap in the face to Hegseth and his political boss.
Meanwhile, the date and time of the hellfire that was supposed to be visited on Iran keeps changing.
While Trump was announcing a ceasefire, Iran was striking Kuwait and Israel was attacking Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.
Oil prices plunged and stock markets rose upon word of the ceasefire, but as details fail to be confirmed, global uncertainty continues.
Trump’s press secretary confirmed the possibility that the U.S. could leave NATO. When referring to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, “They were tested. And they failed,” was Karoline Leavitt’s direct quote from the president.
Trump continues to complain that allies did not join America in the fight, but neglects to mention that he launched the war without involving any other country except Israel.
He also keeps saying that the U.S. has achieved the regime change it was seeking.
On the Iranian side, there is no evidence of such. Some believe the Iranian position has actually been strengthened as a result of Trump’s war.
The Strait of Hormuz now appears to be within their military and financial control, and that is a definite gain.
Trump has to craft a winning storyline to support his exit. The damage inflicted by the war is simply too harmful to Republicans. The November reckoning awaits.
Sheila Copps is a former Jean Chrétien-era cabinet minister and a former deputy prime minister. Follow her on Twitter at @Sheila_Copps.