Trump tries again to convince voters he opposed the Iraq war …
But interviews Trump gave before and after the war prove that he was publicly supportive of the US invasion of Iraq. Trump only began questioning the merits of the war several months later, as US forces became mired in a war against Iraqi insurgents.
Just days after President George W. Bush announced US forces had begun invading Iraq, Trump said in an interview on Fox that the war "looks like a tremendous success from a military standpoint."
He ignored follow-up questions asking for clarification.
Moments earlier, Trump insisted in scripted remarks as he has repeatedly during his presidential campaign that he "was opposed to the war from the beginning" and said that he would have voted against invading Iraq had he been in Congress at the time.
Trump first publicly stated his support for the Iraq War one month before Congress voted to authorize the use of military force in Iraq, when radio host Howard Stern asked him if he favored invading Iraq.
"Yeah, I guess so," Trump said. "You know, I wish the first time it was done correctly."
Trump said that comment was "long before" the war started, even though it came in the heat of the debate on the Iraq War as Congress prepared to vote on the issue.
"It was the first time anybody ever asked me about Iraq and I said, 'Well, I don't know,'" Trump said Thursday, adding those comments were "superseded" by his late comments against the war.
Trump on Thursday pointed to comments he made three months after Congress voted in favor of military action in Iraq, when he told Neil Cavuto of Fox News that "the Iraqi situation is a problem," but that "the economy is a much bigger problem as far as the president is concerned." He did not say he was opposed to the invasion.
Trump's first and most extensive comments against the Iraq War came in an interview with Esquire magazine in August 2004, one year and five months after the US invasion, which Trump described as "very early in the conflict, extremely early in the conflict, right at the beginning" of the war.
But Trump insisted Thursday that "Iraq is one of the biggest differences in this race," pointing to his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's October 2002 vote to authorize military force in Iraq when she was a US senator from New York, which Trump called "a big mistake."
Trump has repeatedly called into question Clinton's "judgment" over her Iraq War vote, even though his own vice presidential nominee Mike Pence also voted in favor of military action as a member of the House of Representatives at the time.
The Republican nominee made his case that he was against the Iraq War by pointing to comments he made in the first months of the Iraq War as "yet more evidence that I had opposed the war from the start."
Trump on Thursday pointed to comments he made to the Washington Post four days after he called the invasion a "tremendous success" in which he called the war a "mess."
But Trump's comments on March 25, 2003, at a post-Oscar party appeared to be a reference to a friendly fire incident that day in which a US missile downed a British fighter jet, causing the stock market to drop more than 300 points.
"If they keep fighting in the way they did today, they're going to have a real problem," Trump said then. "The war's a mess."
Trump also noted that in July 2003 he said on MSNBC that he would like to see some of the money being spent on the war effort go to "New York City and some of the cities and some of the states ... because you know, they really need it and they need it badly."
He did not say he opposed the war in that interview.
Read more from the original source:
Trump tries again to convince voters he opposed the Iraq war ...
- Stop Analogizing Iraq in 2003 to Iran in 2025 - RealClearDefense - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- PKK fighters pile up their weapons in arms amnesty in Northern Iraq - CNN - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Leveraging Irans Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations - The Washington Institute - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- PKK militants in Iraq begin laying down arms as part of peace process with Turkey - MSN - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Explosive drone downed near Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq's Kirkuk province - The Jerusalem Post - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK militants burn their weapons at symbolic ceremony in Iraq - Stockholm Center for Freedom - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - PinalCentral.com - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- PKK fighters in Iraq burn weapons in disarming ceremony - Yahoo - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Explosive drone downed near military base in northern Iraq - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish Separatist Fighters in Iraq Begin Laying Down Weapons as Part of Peace Process with Turkey - The National Herald - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kurdish separatist fighters in Iraq begin laying down weapons as part of peace process with Turkey - Corsicana Daily Sun - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Historic Moment as PKK Members Begin Disarming in Northern Iraq - tovima.com - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Trump announces tariffs on six more countries including Philippines and Iraq - The Indian Express - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump announces new tariffs including for Iraq, Brazil and the Philippines - Al Jazeera - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Twelve Turkish soldiers killed by gas exposure during cave search in Iraq - Reuters - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- PKK Disarmament to Take a Few Months in Iraq, Turkey Ruling Party Says - U.S. News & World Report - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- America and Israels plan to destroy Iraq, Syria and Iran set the entire Middle East on fire - Analyst News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq: Protecting womens rights, reforming law - The Lutheran World Federation - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Harsanyi: Trump learned the lessons of Iraq - The Detroit News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- PKK disarmament to take a few months in Iraq, Turkey ruling party says - The Mighty 790 KFGO - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump hits Iraq with 30% tariffs as he releases 7 new letters - Global News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Five Turkish soldiers killed by methane gas during northern Iraq cave search - France 24 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Watch Trump Reveals New Batch of Tariffs From Iraq to Philippines - Bloomberg.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump slaps new tariffs on Sri Lanka, Iraq, 5 other countries with a warning: If you raise your - The Economic Times - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq committed to ending Kurdistan salary deadlock - Shafaq News - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump enforces new tariffs on Iraq, five other nations - Shafaq News - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq steers clear of Khor Abdullah crisis amid fears of Trumps reaction - The Arab Weekly - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump Slaps 30% Tariff On Iraq, Says Its Less Than What Is Needed - Stocktwits - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- From August 1, the United States will impose duties on imports from Algeria, Libya and Iraq. - - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK to hand over weapons in Iraq in peace process with Turkey - The Jerusalem Post - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq Aims to Export Surplus Oil Products After Refinery Upgrades - Bloomberg - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Why Iran's Shah declined Iraq's Saddam Hussein's bid to kill Khomenei - The Jerusalem Post - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Iraq Lifts Oil Output by 80,000 bpd Across Three Key Fields - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Trump learned the lessons of Iraq - Temple Daily Telegram - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- UN Special Representative for Iraq and Head of UNAMI, Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan, visits Karbala Governorate [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Turkey: Five soldiers killed by methane gas in Iraq cave search - The New Arab - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- I needed to leave Man United to grow: Zidane Iqbal on identity, Iraq and a new start in Utrecht - thenationalnews.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Turkeys water policies leave Iraq parched and poised for unrest - The Arab Weekly - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- The Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces is behind the drone attacks on Iraq - Yahoo - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Iraq, But Funny at Lookingglass Theatre | Weve Got Your Ticket - CBS News - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Turkey gives drought-stricken Iraq more water in boost to PM Sudani - AL-Monitor - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Is Kurdish Protection of Assyrians in North Iraq a Myth? - Assyrian International News Agency - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Eight OPEC+ alliance members including Iraq move toward output hike - Iraqi News - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq to hand over weapons in first step toward disarmament - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Reconstruction Firms Hear Plan for Rebuilding Southern Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Gates Vows to Focus on Iraq, Troop Welfare if Confirmed - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Corps' Command Change Marks Year Of Iraq Transition - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Iraqi Government Prepares to Take Control of Sons of Iraq Program - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Top NCOs Inform Soldiers in Iraq of Wartime Training Changes - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Operation New Town Molds Trust in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - On the Ground: Forces Build Cooperation, Security in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Sheik Meeting Leads to Information on al Qaeda in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - On the Ground: U.S. Forces Build Security at Sea, On Land in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Biden, Odierno Preside Over Naturalization Ceremony in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Marine Amputee Who Returned to Iraq Earns Fellowship - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Twins Serve Together in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Deployed Soldier Keeps Wheels Turning in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Canadian-Born Soldier Serves as Sniper in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- How regional shifts may shape the future of the Iraq-Syria relationship - Amwaj.media - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Hagel: All Assessments Needed for Full Picture in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Sadr Links Election Participation to Militia Disarmament in Iraq - kurdistan24.net - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Refusing the leash: How Iraq shut its skies to Tel Aviv and held the line with Washington - thecradle.co - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- In Iraq, restored tomb of biblical prophet Nahum quietly attracts Jewish pilgrimage - The Times of Israel - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Rockets fired at northern Iraq airport, one hits house; two lightly wounded - The Times of Israel - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- United Nations in Iraq condemns attack in IDP camp in Duhok [EN/AR/KU] - ReliefWeb - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Iran, Iraq hold critical talks following delivery of Araghchis letter on regional security - Tehran Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Turkey to Increase Tigris and Euphrates Water Flow to Iraq Starting Wednesday - kurdistan24.net - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Turkey approves increased water flow to aid Iraq amid growing crisis - rudaw.net - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Iraq pilgrimages proceed by land due to flight restrictions - Tehran Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 'Oh, here we go': For Iraq veterans, bombing of Iran opens old wounds - San Antonio Express-News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Woman in Najaf Dies of Hemorrhagic Fever as Iraq's CCHF Cases Continue to Rise - kurdistan24.net - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Israel illegally used Iraq's airspace to attack Iran - Mehr News Agency - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Has the UK really learned the lessons of Iraq? Don't count on it - The New Arab - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Turkey hands over Babylonian and Akkadian clay tablets to Iraq - The Jerusalem Post - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 'Iraq, But Funny': A new satire tracing 5 generations of Assyrian women hits the stage - FOX 32 Chicago - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Iraq calls on Sudan to cease fighting - Iraqi News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Redefining and Strengthening the U.S.-Iraq Relationship Through Energy and Security - The Washington Institute - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Iraq revives bid to resume oil exports through Turkey - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Syrian authorities uncover mass grave near Iraq border - Shafaq News - - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]