Trump: 'As Soon as I Want [the War] to End, It Will End'

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Lawrence O'Donnell: "No wartime president of the United States has ever said, 'As soon as I want the war to end, it will end.' And so what Donald Trump told American voters last night is, 'I don't want the war to end. I don't want the war to end today. I don't want the war to end tomorrow. I don't want the war to end next week.' Donald Trump is saying, 'It's my war, and it will end whenever I want it to end. And because I'm not out there fighting it myself, I do not want it to end."

Posted by qcp at 07:33 AM | 49 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Trump has just extended two wars in exchange for a meaningless appeal to his vanity from Putin. snyder.substack.com/p/war-throug ...

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-- Timothy Snyder (@timothysnyder.bsky.social) 5:26 PM Â· Oct 12, 2026

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More: O'Donnell tore into the comment and what he thought it implied:

"No wartime president of the United States has ever said, As soon as I want the war to end, it will end.' And so what Donald Trump told American voters last night is, I don't want the war to end. I don't want the war to end today. I don't want the war to end tomorrow. I don't want the war to end next week.' Donald Trump is saying, It's my war, and it will end whenever I want it to end. And because I'm not out there fighting it myself, I do not want it to end.'"

#1 | Posted by qcp at 2026-10-16 09:48 AM | Reply

He's a complete idiot.

#2 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-10-16 10:38 AM | Reply

So he doesn't want the war to end or he would end it right now.

It's a ALL BS of course. He has no plan and is just making it up as he goes.

Remember when it was a scandal when Obama dared to tell Putin that he would have "more flexibility" after the midterms?

Ahh. Yes.. Good times.

#3 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-10-16 12:02 PM | Reply

So he is saying that he wants the high prices and inflation for the oil and diesel now.

He wants American families to suffer.

------- sociopath.

#4 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-10-16 12:18 PM | Reply

"Trump: "As soon as I want the war to end, it will end"

Translation: as soon as Israel wants the war to end, it will end.

#5 | Posted by pumpkinhead at 2026-10-16 01:13 PM | Reply

Iran has a Vote.

Wars are like Fires.

Easy to start, sometimes almost Impossible to Put Out.

Hubris Meets Nemesis....

#6 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-16 01:34 PM | Reply

Just ---- off you pathetic ------.

#7 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-10-16 03:51 PM | Reply

"Iran has a Vote."

A vote on what, who Trump bombs?
Makes no sense.

It's like saying a woman with a black eye must have voted for it.

#8 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-10-16 05:40 PM | Reply

Trump can't unilaterally End the war. Iran has a say, that's what I mean by Iran has a vote.

If Trump tries to stop, Iran Won't Necessarily Stop. They might keep sinking Ships. They keep firing Ballistic Missiles.

Duh.

It's pretty damned obvious what I mean.

#9 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-16 05:58 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Piggy is actually correct.

Hear me out

He can end it anytime he wants

By surrendering unconditionally.

He has that option

In fact, I'd argue that is an inevitability.

Ending it with victory?

AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN

#10 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-10-16 06:00 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"If I want the Sun to rise in the West, it will rise in the West. So let it be written. So let it be done"

-Dementia Donnie, the------------.

#11 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-10-16 08:24 PM | Reply

"Trump can't unilaterally End the war. Iran has a say, that's what I mean by Iran has a vote."

Holler back when Russia has a say, okay?

#12 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-10-16 08:52 PM | Reply

Washington Post journalist was beaten by Israeli settlers in the West Bank

Israel is abusing American journalists

#13 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-10-16 08:58 PM | Reply

Russia is trapped in Ukraine. They can't unilaterally stop either.

That's why War is so stupid.

Easy to start,often Fiendishly difficult to escape from.

Hitler would know.

Also Putin and Netanyahu.

They are trapped by their own Aggression.

Tarbabies are Real...

#14 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-17 12:14 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

The Saudis Bombed Sanaa, now Ansar Allah is kicking their butt.

Bet the wished they left it Alone....

You don't have a mind for history, snoopy.

#15 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-17 12:20 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

Ending it with victory?
AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN
#10 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-10-16 06:00 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Anyone who thinks this is funny in a dumb kind of way should tally up the scoreboard on US military victories since 1946.

#16 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-10-17 08:33 AM | Reply

>It's a ALL BS of course.

-Yeah I thought so too. Single quotes, jeez.

#17 | Posted by john_savage2 at 2026-10-17 03:04 PM | Reply

www.mic.com

This Tweet From a 'Huffington Post' Editor Shows the Problem With White Feminism

#18 | Posted by john_savage2 at 2026-10-17 03:06 PM | Reply

Anyone who thinks this is funny in a dumb kind of way should tally up the scoreboard on US military victories since 1946.

#16 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-10-17 08:33 AM | Reply | Flag:

Iraq 1
Iraq 2
Grenada
Dominican Republic
Kosovo
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Korea was draw

Two withdrawls, Vietnam & Afghanistan.

#19 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 04:41 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

and I didn't flag it funny.

but can we also count snatching Maduro? and what about Syria? The Kurds never fell and reunited with the new US recognized Syrian transitional govt.

#20 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 04:43 PM | Reply

I will respond with a fairly obvious question, how can the US win?

#21 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-10-17 04:47 PM | Reply

I'd argue (supported by facts) that America cannot win.

#22 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-10-17 04:47 PM | Reply

I want say there's no way the world lets Iran overturn the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea... but I don't really believe it anymore.

#23 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 07:46 PM | Reply

The only effective tactic has been the blockade. Iran isn't paying public servants, including the IRCG. Iranian surrogates have been asked to return their Iranian funding so the Guard can be paid. The rial is at historic lows and their local inflation is headed for Zimbabwe levels.

#24 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 07:52 PM | Reply

#25 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 07:52 PM | Reply

... The only effective tactic has been the blockade. ...

I presume your comment speaks of the US blockade of Iran.

If so, I agree.

Iran's current economic conditions are worse than bad.

But the question becomes... how long will Iran be able to deal with those conditions?

Will the Iranians eventually revolt to overthrow the IRGC and take their government back?

#26 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-17 07:59 PM | Reply

Will the Iranians eventually revolt to overthrow the IRGC and take their government back?

#26 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-17 07:59 PM | Reply

Seems presumptions to think it would be a united front of "Iranians". It's a low grade civil war in the Eastern provinces, Sunni vs Shia. There's the Kurd groups. It would fall apart like Syria, with multiple warring factions and Russia trying to stabilize what's left of the current regime.

#27 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 08:15 PM | Reply

Will the Iranians eventually revolt to overthrow the IRGC and take their government back?

Define "eventually".

In my opinion. Not anytime soon.

When will Americans revolt and overthrow the Heritage Foundation?

#28 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-10-17 08:25 PM | Reply

Jaish al-Adl is actively assassinating Iranian public officials, attacking IRCG bases and police stations.

Best you get is murders of a healthcare executive and online ---- talker.

#29 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 08:29 PM | Reply

@#27 ... Seems presumptions to think it would be a united front of "Iranians". ...

I do not disagree.

I was merely echoing what Pres Trump had asserted.

#30 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-17 08:48 PM | Reply

@#28 ... In my opinion. Not anytime soon. ...

Agreed.

#31 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-17 08:49 PM | Reply

The Iranians who wanted a revolution died in the streets.

You'll have to wait a decade or two for there to be enough of them to die in the streets all over again.

#32 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-10-17 09:48 PM | Reply

Sitzwar Worships Semisuccessful Violence like the Militarist he clearly is.

Iraq2 a Success?

Korea a Draw?

Nothing was achieved in either war but Gratuitous violence.

North Korea is an Autocracy. Nuclear Armed at that. 3 million dead.

Iraq is hand in glove with Iran. 1,000,000 dead.

What Victories?

Kosovo? The KLA are organ transplant ghouls and drug traffickers.

Bosnia? Maybe.

#33 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-17 10:09 PM | Reply

By the way.

Trump is correct.

The only reason we're still "at war" with Iran is because Trump needs an excuse to buy Russian oil and distract from the Epstein files.

The "war" is only ongoing because Trump needs it to continue.

#34 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-10-17 10:13 PM | Reply

Afghanistan? Russian humiliation.
Ukraine? Remember when the bald midget said it'd be over in 3 days?

#35 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-10-17 10:28 PM | Reply

@#34 ... The "war" is only ongoing because Trump needs it to continue. ...

Cogent.

#36 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-17 10:31 PM | Reply

I want say there's no way the world lets Iran overturn the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea... but I don't really believe it anymore.

#23 | Posted by sitzkrieg

Before Trump they would not have. But they do not want to get forced into Trump's war of choice.

They could either let Trump manipulate them into getting sucked into the quagmire in Iran, letting him force the rest of the world to do his dirty work, or they could let go of the Law of the Sea.

So the Law of the Sea is now no more.

Good job Republicans. You built that.

#37 | Posted by gtbritishskull at 2026-10-18 12:01 AM | Reply

Iran wins again.

Trump is breaking everything International in Scope.

Nobody, not even Israel, wants to fight Iran Head On.

Why?

#38 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-18 12:12 AM | Reply

@37 ... But they do not want to get forced into Trump's war of choice. ...

And that may also be a reason why our NATO allies chose to not participate in Pres Trump's assault upon Iran.

For a major reason...

NATO had a real concern that if they had chosen to participate in Pres Trump' offensive war of choice, once they fully engaged, Pres Trump would then withdraw the US military.

Effectively leaving the NATO forces to continue to fight Pres Trump's unprovoked war vs Iran without the participation of the US.

#39 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-18 12:23 AM | Reply

19. Grenada. Yeah boy. Reagan had to man up to save those offshore med students.

Korea was draw. Two withdrawls, Vietnam & Afghanistan.
#19 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-17 04:41 PM | Reply | Flag: Newsworthy 1

and I didn't flag it funny.

That's some shortsighted thinking. And I don't waste time seeing who flags posts.

#40 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-10-18 07:35 AM | Reply

Iraq2 a Success?
Korea a Draw?
Nothing was achieved in either war but Gratuitous violence.

#33 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-17 10:09 PM | Reply

Effette, worshipper of everything anti-US hegemony.

Iraq 2, I'd ask what happened to Saddam and Sunni minority subjugating the Shia majority, but you won't answer it honestly.

South Korea exists. North Korea exists. That's a draw. No matter how much you'd prefer for the communists to win.

#41 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-18 08:58 AM | Reply

Invasion is AGGRESSION. Illegal as Hell, Lies were Told, just to get Congress to Approve the Campaign. All totally Illegal and Immoral

Saddam was a bastard. He killed a lot of his own people.

How many More were killed by "Desert Storm" than would have died with Saddam still in Charge?

Estimated Iraqi deaths due to the American Invasion and its knock off effects run to at least 800,000.

How much of Iraq's infrastructure was destroyed?

I'm sure the Iraqis are just SO Grateful to Dubya.

Man, you're a ------- Idiot.

#42 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-18 09:23 AM | Reply

Super illegal. That's why we threw Dubya into prison for his crimes against humanity.

#43 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-18 10:01 AM | Reply

Your Point is?

Dubya is a hero?

THE War WASN'T Illegal?

Legalities are for the "Little People"?

Your Worldview is Toxic.

If it Bleeds and Succeeds, it's All Good.

REALPOLITIK...

#44 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-18 10:14 AM | Reply

You cheerlead the invasion of Ukraine by fascists trying to overthrow a fledgling democracy to go chase effectively non-existent Nazis.

Suck my dick.

#45 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-18 10:20 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

and your beef in this thread is... we didn't exterminate North Korea and fought to a draw, and successfully regime changed Iraq which I never commented on the morality of... move on fascist.

#46 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-10-18 10:22 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I Never supported Putin Invading Ukraine.

I thought they should reinforce the Lines within the Breakaway Oblasts and get the UN involved.

Subsequent developments have made me see the Error of my position in 2022.

Putin is a Lying Turd.

The War in Ukraine is an Illegal and Bloody Obscenity.

Putin's Credibility is Nil.

I still think the Ukrainians WERE Abusing the Russian Speakers in Donbass but that Putin used that Cynically as an Excuse to Invade. If he really had a case he would have gotten the UN involved.

None of which is Relevant to AMERICAN Wars of Aggression in Iraq and Iran.

#47 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-18 10:32 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

Korea was a total act of Aggression.

Non involvement was the correct posture.

No American Involvement whatsoever was the proper Action.

Let the Entire Peninsula alone.

#48 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-10-18 10:33 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

You're a total spoof of a human.

#49 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-10-18 11:44 AM | Reply