As Jeet Heer reports this week, Iran is producing “blunt, vulgar, and undeniably memorable” viral videos of a Lego Pete Hegseth as a Trump, Netanyahu, and Epstein-loving sycophant. Meanwhile, Trump is flailing around online. The president attempted to cause a stir with an AI-fashioned image of himself as a Christ figure, Heer notes, but was forced to delete the post on Truth Social after the Christian community cried blasphemy.

And on the war itself: Not so long ago, during a televised primetime national address, Trump said that “America doesn’t need the Strait of Hormuz” anyway. Just like with everything else related to this war, Trump is flying by the seat of his pants, David Faris explains. (As of this morning, The New York Times reports that the Strait is open after a ceasefire in Lebanon, and Trump says “THANK YOU!”)

And by the way: Just because Tucker Carlson has been anti-war this time around, does not mean he’s your friend. Rafi Schwartz will tell you why.

-Alana Pockros

Associate Editor, The Nation

Not yet a subscriber of The Nation? Get one year of unlimited digital access for just $14.95.