# Ben Rhodes: Trump Is Getting a Terrible Deal

An episode of [The Bulwark Daily](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1447684472), 17 Apr 2026, 1 h 05 min.

Audio: https://clrtpod.com/m/pscrb.fm/rss/p/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8891543.mp3?modified=1780290406&sid=5114286&source=rss

The U.S. and Israel started dropping bombs on Iran because the regime, amid mass street protests, appeared to be in a weakened state. But the regime has now ended up with a much stronger hand: It's proven its leverage over the global economy with the Strait of Hormuz, and under Trump's offer, Iran will get a huge infusion of cash to rebuild its ballistic missiles program and fund its proxy terror groups. At the same time, Trump has made the United States look like a rogue state—while spending billions for a deal he could have got without a war. Plus, Israelis are likely not happy, the Gulf states realize America can't protect them from Iran's drones, Cuba is readying to be next, Dems should make clear they are the anti-war party now, Trump is fighting his demons from his first term, and JD has a radical and un-American world view. Ben Rhodes joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod. show notes • Ben's podcast, "Pod Save the World" • Ben's forthcoming book, "All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches" • Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events • Tim's playlist • For 30% off your order, head to BloodFlow7.com/THEBULWARK and use code THEBULWARK. • Post jobs for free at ziprecruiter.com/BULWARK

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