Trump reveals he didn’t just play madman to scare Iran into cease-fire: ‘I was willing to do it’
WASHINGTON — President Trump rejected claims that he used the so-called “Madman Theory” in his recent dealings with Iran, insisting that his actions were grounded in the strength of the U.S. military rather than a strategy of feigned irrationality.
In a Wednesday phone interview with The Post, Trump said he relied on America’s military might and his readiness to deploy it if necessary.
“I rebuilt an incredible military during my first term and used it in my second term,” Trump said. “I was ready to use it, and I had a phenomenal team. Our military is unmatched in history, and we demonstrated that using only a small portion of it.”
The president had stunned the world on Tuesday by threatening Iran with what he described as a catastrophic strike if Tehran did not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. ET. Trump warned that failure to comply could result in the destruction of an entire civilization.
Before issuing the threat, he expressed skepticism about Iran’s seriousness in negotiations.
Ultimately, Iran agreed to a temporary reopening of the strait, with a two-week cease-fire to allow for face-to-face discussions in Pakistan aimed at a more permanent deal. The dramatic warning provoked calls from Democrats for Trump’s removal, including suggestions to invoke the 25th Amendment or pursue impeachment. Yet his allies argued that such bold tactics were a cornerstone of his negotiating style.
“President Trump’s unpredictability has delivered results with the Abraham Accords, North Korea, Venezuela, and now Iran, not to mention preventing numerous conflicts,” said Jason Miller, a former senior adviser to Trump. “This approach will cement his status as one of the most effective negotiators in history.”
Even some supporters admitted concern that the president might push too far, with one second-term former official calling the tactic potentially “desperate.” Trump’s high-stakes rhetoric is not new: in 2017, he warned North Korea of “fire and fury the likes of which the world has never seen,” only to later cultivate a surprisingly cordial relationship with Kim Jong Un that included multiple meetings and personal exchanges.
Trump was also caught on audio in 2024 discussing the possibility of striking Moscow to deter escalation in Ukraine.
“The truth is, we need unpredictability,” Trump told Bloomberg in 2016. “The enemy is watching, and I have a very good chance of winning. I don’t want them to know what I’m thinking. But I don’t rule out anything.”
Analysts have often labeled Trump’s approach to foreign policy as a modern version of “Madman Theory,” a term associated with former President Richard Nixon. Nixon’s goal was to convince the Vietcong that he was dangerously unpredictable and willing to take extreme measures to end the Vietnam War.
While Trump’s provocative style has long been familiar, lawmakers expressed alarm over the perceived seriousness of his threats to Iran. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump “an extremely sick person,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries labeled him “completely unhinged” for threatening to destroy Iran’s infrastructure.
Scholars say the strategy has both risks and limited advantages. Joshua Schwartz, an international relations expert at Carnegie Mellon University, explained that such tactics can force concessions but can also trap leaders in positions where backing down is politically costly. Roseanne McManus of Pennsylvania State University emphasized that making extreme threats without follow-through could undermine credibility—but noted that Trump has previously acted on similar threats, such as in the case of Venezuela.
Trump, who authored The Art of the Deal, has consistently embraced high-stakes negotiation. In 2017, he reportedly coached U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to project unpredictability in dealings with South Korea, aiming to convince them he could abandon agreements at any moment.
Last year, comedian Bill Maher commented on Trump’s persona after meeting him, saying, “A crazy person doesn’t live in the White House. A person who plays a crazy person on TV a lot lives there.”
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