4/29/26: Trump Spirals On Iran War, Oil Price Spike, Dystopian AI Car Surveillance

Hosts Emily Jashinsky and Ryan Grim unpack a busy news day dominated by the Iran war's economic fallout, including Trump's bombastic social media claims and surging oil prices, alongside congressional fights over surveillance expansions and broader market jitters.

Trump's Iran Posts and Hormuz Negotiations

Donald Trump posted on Truth Social claiming Iran informed the U.S. it is in a "state of collapse," requesting the Strait of Hormuz be opened while they sort leadership issues—a statement hosts dismissed as fantastical, estimating its truth value at about 1.8 out of 10. Hours later, at a state dinner with King Charles, Trump invoked U.S. military history to assert "we have militarily defeated" Iran and will prevent its nuclear weapon acquisition, claiming Charles agreed "even more than I do." Contrasting reports emerged: The New York Times said Trump rejected Iran's latest Hormuz proposal; the Wall Street Journal noted U.S. skepticism of Iran's offer to reopen the strait while tabling nuclear talks. Iran instead outlined unilateral strait management if the U.S. lifts its "illegal naval blockade," refusing to link it to nuclear or proxy discussions. Trump followed with a 4 a.m. post calling Iran unable to "sign a non-nuclear deal" alongside a photoshopped image of himself armed amid bombings. Hosts noted Trump's pre-market timing (9:29 a.m. post) to influence trading, tho