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President Donald Trump appears to have far more pressing matters on his mind than the globally precarious conflict between Israel and Iran, and made an announcement Tuesday on his Truth Social platform that left untold social media users in genuine shock.
“It is my Great Honor to announce that I will be putting up two beautiful Flag Poles on both sides of the White House, North and South Lawns,” the president declared. “It is a GIFT from me of something which was always missing from this magnificent place.”
“These are the most magnificent poles made - They are tall, tapered, rust proof, rope inside the pole, and of the highest quality,” added Trump in the evening post. “Hopefully they will proudly stand at both sides of the White House for many years to come!”
The announcement came mere hours after Trump demanded the “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Israel deployed warplanes and drones Friday to kill Iranian officials, prompting retaliatory strikes from Iran.
The escalating violence not only threatens to further destabilize the Middle East after nearly two years of Israel’s brutal military campaign in Gaza, but has prompted some GOP lawmakers, such as Rep. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), to openly call for U.S. involvement.
The president’s flagpole bulletin thus left many concerned social media users aghast.
“Are you kidding me right now? The threat of nuclear war and this lunatic is posting about f*cking flag poles? GET THE F*CK OUT OF OFFICE,” wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter, with another posting: “We are about to enter war and we are talking about flag poles.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified Friday’s attack as a preventative mean to keep Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, a warning he has issued for decades — which U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in March was unfounded.
“I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having one,” Trump told reporters Tuesday.
LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images
Trump said last month that he “warned” Netanyahu not to strike Iran while a nuclear deal was being negotiated, but is now “seriously considering” formally entering the conflict alongside Israel, according to a New York Times report published Tuesday.
Trump said Tuesday the U.S. knows “exactly” where Khamenei is hiding, but that he won’t be killed — “at least not for now.” On Wednesday, the ayatollah rejected calls for his surrender and warned of “irreparable damage” to U.S. forces should they get involved.
Earlier this morning, Trump oversaw preparations for the flag poles to be erected.
Social media users with an understanding of the volatile situation in the Middle East have some words for Trump, who previously vowed to end the Israel-Gaza war and stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Republicans are threatening war with Iran and Donald Trump’s focus is putting in more flag poles at the White House.
What an embarrassment.pic.twitter.com/LAezVBm7QW
The world is on the brink of WW3….
Trump: “Behold my Giant Poles…”
Trump's obsession with gaudy flagpoles is a pathetic distraction from his reckless mishandling of Middle East tensions, proving he's more interested in self-aggrandizement than protecting American lives.
— Richard Angwin (@RichardAngwin) June 18, 2025You mean like the flagpoles the
Jan 6 cop beaters used to bash the cops heads in ?!!! Mr. No New Wars!
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Making the White House look like a car dealership on the highway
— Steve Zagorski (@sgz0040) June 18, 2025So his first post after an all-caps unconditional surrender was to talk about flag poles. Of course.
— Akash Maniam (@ManiamAkash) June 18, 2025
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