Here’s what Trump said.
President Donald Trump briefly stopped himself during a television interview Monday after appearing ready to make a stronger personal remark about former President Barack Obama while discussing U.S. policy toward Iran.
The moment came during an appearance on Fox & Friends, where Trump was asked about his administration’s approach to Iran and how it differs from previous administrations. Throughout the interview, the president argued that American leaders from both political parties failed to take decisive action against Iran over several decades, allowing the country to expand its influence in the Middle East.
Trump said multiple administrations, including those led by former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, missed opportunities to address what he described as a growing national security threat.
Trump argued that U.S. leaders had been repeatedly misled by Iran for decades, saying that successive presidents failed to take meaningful action.
He continued by saying the issue should have been addressed decades earlier, arguing that previous administrations allowed Iran to become increasingly powerful.
Trump directed his sharpest criticism toward Obama, claiming the former president’s policies strengthened Tehran rather than limiting its influence.
However, the interview took an unexpected turn when Trump appeared ready to make a more personal comment before abruptly stopping himself.
“You know he’s a… well… let’s not say,” Trump said before pausing. “Let’s leave that for another time. He was terrible.”
WATCH:
Trump on Iran: “Obama was the worst of all because Obama actually went to their side, because, you know, he’s a — well, let’s not say. Let’s leave that for another time.” pic.twitter.com/WfukgSITz2
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 13, 2026
The brief hesitation quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the interview, with video clips spreading across social media as viewers debated what Trump may have been about to say before changing course.
Trump Revisits Obama’s Iran Policy
After the pause, Trump continued criticizing the Obama administration’s approach to Iran, focusing on the 2015 nuclear agreement and a separate financial settlement reached the following year.
Trump again referenced the transfer of $1.7 billion to Iran, arguing that it demonstrated what he viewed as poor negotiating strategy. He claimed the payment and broader diplomatic efforts ultimately made Iran stronger economically and politically.
The $1.7 billion payment has remained a subject of political debate for years. The Obama administration said the money represented a legal settlement involving funds Iran had paid the United States before the 1979 Islamic Revolution for military equipment that was never delivered. The payment was made in foreign currencies because U.S. sanctions prohibited transactions in American dollars.
Critics, including Trump and many Republicans, argued the transfer resembled a ransom payment because it occurred around the same time several Americans were released from detention in Iran. Obama administration officials rejected that characterization, maintaining the settlement and prisoner negotiations were separate matters.
The Iran Nuclear Deal Remains Divisive
Trump also criticized the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.
The agreement was negotiated in 2015 between Iran, the United States, and several other world powers. Supporters argued the deal placed significant limits on Iran’s nuclear program through inspections and restrictions while reducing the risk of military conflict. Opponents contended it provided sanctions relief and financial benefits without permanently preventing Iran from pursuing nuclear capabilities.
During his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement, calling it one of the worst international deals ever negotiated and reimposed economic sanctions on Iran.
Trump Also Criticizes Biden
The president expanded his criticism to former President Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president before later winning the White House.
Trump argued that Biden continued policies he believes benefited Iran, while also making personal criticisms of the former president during the interview.
The comments reflect the administration’s broader effort to draw a clear contrast between its current Middle East strategy and the policies pursued by previous administrations.
Administration Pursues Different Strategy
The interview comes as the Trump administration continues implementing a tougher approach toward Iran through economic pressure, sanctions, and military deterrence.
Administration officials have also announced a memorandum of understanding outlining plans for a proposed $300 billion investment fund intended to support Iran’s long-term economic development if future conditions allow. Officials have emphasized that the proposed funding would come from private and international investors rather than U.S. taxpayer dollars.
The proposal represents another example of the administration’s effort to reshape America’s long-term approach to Iran while encouraging future economic reforms.
Video Draws Widespread Attention
Trump’s brief pause during the interview quickly became one of the day’s most widely shared political moments, generating discussion across social media platforms and news outlets.
Supporters and critics alike weighed in on the exchange, with many speculating about what Trump intended to say before stopping himself. Others focused on the broader policy debate surrounding Iran, the Obama-era nuclear agreement, and the direction of U.S. foreign policy under the current administration.
As the video continues circulating online, the moment has added fresh attention to the long-running political debate over America’s relationship with Iran and the contrasting approaches taken by successive presidents.
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