Thursday Afternoon Breaking News Updates with Ben - 4/23/2026

Ben Micelis delivers urgent updates on the escalating US-Iran war, Donald Trump's Oval Office press conference mishaps, military firings, Virginia redistricting progress, and scandals in the Trump administration's national security appointments and Epstein investigations.

Trump's Press Conference Lies and Gaffes

Moments before the show, Trump held a press conference ostensibly on lowering prescription drug prices but devolved into boasts about the Iran war. The feed cut out as he said, "I could use a shit," which Micelis highlights as emblematic of chaos. Trump claimed personal credit for saving eight "young, beautiful" Iranian women from execution by phoning Iranian leaders and threatening social media posts—a fabricated story with no evidence. He bragged the war, now about eight weeks old, beats Vietnam (18 years) since Iran's military is "totally defeated," despite dodging the draft himself. Trump asserted US control over the Strait of Hormuz, ordering Navy shootings of small boats, mine-laying, and tripled mine-sweeping efforts—none verifiable, as satellite imagery shows no such activity. He flip-flopped on timelines, claiming five-and-a-half weeks after reporters corrected him to eight, and said he "took a break" during the ceasefire, ignoring the ongoing blockade. Iranian leaders, from parliament to judiciary and foreign minister, issued unified statements rejecting