PoliticsDonald Trump Defends Iran, Fights 'Fake News' in Truth Social Post
Donald Trump defended Iran in a Truth Social post.
June 26 2026, Published 8:33 a.m. ET
President Donald Trump’s latest Truth Social post managed to do what his social media blasts often do best: turn a complicated policy fight into a one-man political spectacle.
Amid stalled negotiations over hostilities with Iran, Trump on June 24 used an early-morning post to defend Tehran against what he called “troublemaking Fake News reporting” about possible tolls, insurance costs or other charges for ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Post That Lit Up the Morning
He rejected reports about the Strait of Hormuz tolls and shipping charges.
“Iran has informed the U.S. that, despite troublemaking Fake News reporting to the contrary, there are ‘NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ. If this is false information, negotiations would end, immediately,” Trump wrote.
He shared his statement in a Truth Social Post.
The remark was unusual not only because Trump appeared to be vouching for Iran’s position, but because it came as his administration faces criticism over an interim peace deal with Tehran. The U.S. and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding meant to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for at least 60 days.
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The Fake News Subtext
The post arrived hours after he took aim at Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The post arrived just hours after another late-night Truth Social message, in which Trump wrote, “America the Beautiful will NEVER be a Communist Country!!!” in an apparent reference to primary victories for Democratic socialist candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“Mayor Mamdani pulled through 3 solid Communists, and has received loud and universal applause from the Fake News Media. Congratulations Mr. Mayor! I went 16-0 last night, helping to elect wonderful American Patriots, and the Media doesn’t say a word,” he posted later in the morning. “FAKE NEWS.”
The Stakes Behind the Spectacle
The post fueled fresh debate over U.S.-Iran relations.
The Strait of Hormuz is not just another talking point. The narrow waterway typically handles about 20% of the world’s oil traffic, and shipping through the area was stalled over the weekend.
Iran and Oman said on June 23 they would begin working on an agreement covering services related to navigation through the strait, including “costs associated with them in accordance with international standards.” Trump’s post appeared designed to shut down the idea that Iran would impose tolls or related charges, while also insisting no U.S. money had been given or released to Iran.
“No money has been given to Iran, or released from their money to them, by the U.S.,” he wrote. “We will be releasing some of their money, that is totally controlled by us, to our Farmers and Ranchers, for the purchase of Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, and more. Food is desperately needed in Iran, and we will be purchasing it for them exclusively from the United States.”
