Trending Now - Trump Criticizes Media Coverage of Iran War, Seeks Positivity

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren

Democratic Senator Ed Markey

Rupert Murdoch, owner of The Wall Street Journal

WHAT:

Trump accused media outlets of wanting the U.S. to lose the war in Iran.

Trump threatened media outlets with "treason" charges for disseminating false information.

Trump stated that five U.S. Air Force refueling planes were damaged but not destroyed during an Iranian missile strike.

Carr threatened to pull broadcasting licenses from media outlets accused of "running hoaxes and news distortions."

Trump expressed that he was "thrilled" about Carr's threat.

Trump referred to certain news organizations as "Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic."

Hegseth criticized media coverage of the Iran conflict, calling it "patently ridiculous."

WHERE:

Air Force One

Prince Sultan air base, Saudi Arabia

Strait of Hormuz

WHEN:

March 17th, 2026 (date of the articles)

On Sunday, March 15th, 2026, Trump made comments aboard Air Force One.

The Iran war is reported to be in its third week as of March 17th, 2026.

WHY:

Trump and his administration are seeking more positive media coverage of the Iran war amid rising casualties and economic costs.

Trump believes that negative media coverage undermines the war effort.

HOW:

Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his views and threats against the media.

Carr indicated that broadcasters must operate in the public interest to avoid losing their licenses.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 09:16 UTC)

Today, President Trump accused media outlets of wanting the U.S. to lose the ongoing war in Iran, which is now in its third week, and threatened them with "treason" charges for spreading false information. During comments made aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he expressed his approval of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's warning to revoke broadcasting licenses from those accused of running hoaxes, while also stating that five U.S. Air Force refueling planes were damaged but not destroyed in an Iranian missile strike. Trump labeled certain news organizations as "Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic," and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth criticized the media's coverage of the conflict as "patently ridiculous."