Trump’s New War Game for Dummies

A plain-language explainer for what our toddler president is doing internationally now that he's sufficiently f*cked up the country.

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I’ll be the first to admit it: I’ve got a much better handle on domestic politics than international affairs. So when Trump started posting threats to Iran on Truth Social—talking about “unconditional surrender” and basically declaring himself wartime commander via social media—I had to do a deep dive. And now I’m here to walk the rest of us through it, because what’s happening is serious, and also seriously weird.

So here it is: a step-by-step breakdown of how we ended up watching a former president try to launch a war on his own—without Congress, without allies, and without a plan.

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Step 1: A Bruised Ego

This story actually started on June 14 when Trump suffered an injury to his very large ego with the combination of a record-breaking protest paired against a dismally small military parade. This is the bruising to end all bruisings when it comes to a super-sized egomaniac who has fantasized about this day his entire life.

Just a few days later, still bent out of shape from that disaster, Trump had to rush off to the G7 summit in Alberta. Trump is not a traveler; he likes his routine and his home. He’s also old and having a hard time staying awake at just about every appearance he’s made recently. The combination had political commentators guessing that he’d find an excuse to leave, if only to keep the world from seeing the world’s worst-kept secret of what bad shape he’s in.

The meeting went as well as expected. European leaders didn’t take him seriously, his health looked questionable, and the press coverage wasn’t kind. He was, by all accounts, sidelined and ignored.

So he left the G7 early.

His stated reason? To “handle” an escalating situation in Iran.

The real reason? If I had to guess I’d say it was to keep the world from seeing him in total melt-down mode. But it could have been any number of reasons, except the one he gave.

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Step 2: The Real-World Trigger

Now here’s where it gets messy. While Trump was at the G7, Israel carried out a significant airstrike on an Iranian nuclear facility. It was followed by reports of a covert drone campaign targeting Iranian defenses. Iran responded with missile strikes aimed at Israel.

That’s not nothing. It’s a real conflict. But Trump’s reaction was not coordinated with allies. He refused to sign the G7’s joint statement condemning Iran and urging caution. He walked away from talks about a ceasefire. He ignored France’s request for U.S. involvement in diplomatic de-escalation.

Instead, he went home and started posting threats online. He demanded Iran surrender. He claimed to know where Iran’s Supreme Leader was hiding. He hinted at military action. And he did it all—so far—without congressional approval, without a press briefing, and without a formal policy announcement.

Macron had planned to present a framework for de-escalation involving third-party mediators. With Trump gone, that framework never made it to the table. A French official later told Le Monde, “There was no American at the table. It made any real negotiation impossible.” Trump’s exit sent a clear message: he would not participate in any diplomatic de-escalation efforts, reinforcing fears that he prefers confrontation over consensus.

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Step 3: Going It Alone

This is not how war is supposed to work.

Congress has not voted on military action. The Constitution says they’re the only ones who can declare war. There hasn’t even been a resolution authorizing force. But Trump is speaking like a man who already has the authority—and who intends to use it.

Some members of Congress are trying to push back. There’s talk of limiting his powers under the War Powers Act. But nothing’s passed yet. And the longer this goes without action, the more power he seems willing to grab.

Step 4: The Political Fallout

Trump’s base isn’t unified on this. Some are cheering him on. Others—especially the isolationist wing of MAGA—are furious. They didn’t back Trump because they wanted another Middle East war. They backed him because he promised to avoid them.

You can see it in the comments on Truth Social. Some of his own supporters are telling him to stand down. Right-wing pundits like Tucker Carlson are distancing themselves. Even Steve Bannon has warned against escalation.

This matters. Because Trump doesn’t like losing his base. And this might be the first time he’s lost them in real time, while something major is still unfolding.

Apparently, WAR was the last straw with Trump’s base…

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Step 5: Where Does This Go?

Right now, there are three main possibilities:

1. Congress Pushes Back. Lawmakers on both sides introduce limits on Trump’s power. They pass a War Powers Resolution. The military holds the line and refuses to act without authorization. This is the most constitutionally sound option—and probably the one we should be pushing for right now, primarily because it’s so clearly laid out legally and can happen almost immediately.

2. Trump Escalates Anyway. He orders limited strikes. Iran retaliates. The U.S. is pulled into another full-scale Middle East conflict without democratic approval. This is the worst-case scenario—and not out of the question.

3. The GOP Finally Snaps. If Trump continues down this path, and especially if there’s a military incident, some Republicans might decide enough is enough. Could this lead to impeachment? Possibly. It's constitutionally justifiable, especially if he orders unauthorized military action. Whether it’s politically viable depends on how loud and angry the public gets—and how much cover his base gives them to act.

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Final Thoughts

This isn’t just about war with Iran.

This is about what happens when an unelected strongman, already stripped of checks and balances at home and burning from the narcissistic injury of a public humiliation, starts using international threats to prove he’s still in control. He’s done lasting damage to our institutions. Now, it looks like he’s trying to do the same on the world stage.

And the question we should all be asking is: Will somebody finally stop him this time?

Keep resisting folks,

Rosie

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