Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Thursday, July 16, 2026

During negotiations with the U.S. in Switzerland last month, the Iranian government reportedly warned Vice President JD Vance that President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were undermining the chances of a peace deal. Drop Site News reports, citing an unnamed Iranian official, that Iranian negotiators believed Witkoff and Kushner were more interested in trying to profit off the talks in financial markets than reaching a lasting agreement. The Iranians were also worried about Kushner and Witkoff leaking information to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu The Iranians sent a private message to Vance through an intermediary following earlier communication through Pakistani mediators. Those earlier communications reportedly included written documentation that "individuals close to President Trump" were using the war and diplomatic talks to manipulate markets.

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White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly further denied the report and attacked Drop Site.

"No such message was ever transmitted to the United States. It's sad that Drop Site News reporters' are so filled with hate for America and devoid of respect for themselves that they have become full-throated propagandists for the Iranian regime," Kelly said.

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Playing the markets? Quelle sooprise.

With negotiations breaking down and hostilities resuming between the U.S. and Iran, the Iranian government does have an incentive to make the Trump administration look worse than usual. Unfortunately, even if this report is false, the White House's track record makes it seem all too plausible.

Market manipulation has become all too common in Trump's second term, particularly during the Iran war, with Trump making carefully timed statements that seem designed to create short-term stock gains. Suspiciously timed bets on prediction markets during the war also raised suspicions that insider trading was taking place within the White House, with the Trump administration even warning staff not to bet on world events.


Planes fly, people die, and players play. What a bunch of sick f#cks.

#1 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-16 07:32 AM | Reply

"Iranian negotiators believed Witkoff and Kushner were more interested in trying to profit off the talks in financial markets than reaching a lasting agreement."

One side acting in good faith -- the "detestable" Iranians -- and the other side acting like voracious capitalist vultures.

And Steve Witkoff -- Dummkopf Trumpf's Special Peace Envoy -- called the two million Palestinians in Gaza Nazis.

So this good-for-no-one mega-oligarch is "neutral" in the negotiations between the underdog Palestinians and the US-armed Israeli Death Forces (IDF)?

Uh-huh.

Source: Plutocrat Steve Witkoff is not a good human being

#2 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-16 07:52 AM | Reply

Laurel and Hardy without the expertise.

#3 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-16 09:47 AM | Reply

Witkoff and Kushner were more interested in trying to profit off the talks in financial markets than reaching a lasting agreement.

No s*&^. They're not doing it without being told to, however, as there's no other reason to appoint these two stooges other than to position Trump and insiders to profit off of the outcome.

Everything, literally everything, under this administration is a grift. Why else would they so shamelessly discuss $300 billion in compensation to Iran? These stooges will position themselves to profit off the reconstruction.

#4 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-16 10:04 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"Witkoff and Kushner were more interested in trying to profit off the talks in financial markets than reaching a lasting agreement."

Crime Family gonna crime.

To be fair, Grift is their MO in all facets of Government, at home and abroad.

#5 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-16 11:53 AM | Reply

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