Trump Explodes Over Coons' Obama Deal Jab
Official 2025 inaugural portrait of President Donald Trump. Photo courtesy of Daniel Torok. Public domain.
In true Trump fashion, the president didn't wait for sunrise to launch his latest rhetorical grenade.
On June 30, 2025, just after midnight, President Donald Trump reportedly took to Truth Social in a furious, all-caps tirade aimed at Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) — and anyone else comparing his Iran strategy to Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal. The reason for the outburst? A Fox News appearance where Coons said Trump's current Iran outreach "looks somewhat similar" to the Obama administration's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), suggesting tens of billions in incentives were again on the table, according to The Hill.
What Sparked the Firestorm?
It all began with Coons' appearance on "Fox News Sunday." Coons, a longtime Biden ally, reportedly called on the Trump administration to brief Congress on the U.S. strikes earlier in June targeting three Iranian nuclear sites. He cited press reports claiming the Trump team was floating a potential $30 billion deal that included reduced sanctions and funding for Iran's civilian nuclear program — a structure reminiscent of Obama's 2015 deal.
That comment, it seems, struck a nerve.
Trump Responds in Trump Fashion
"Tell phony Democrat Senator Chris Coons that I am not offering Iran ANYTHING," Trump posted, according to The Hill before escalating the attack with a swipe at his predecessor. "Unlike Obama, who paid them $Billions under the stupid 'road to a Nuclear Weapon' JCPOA (which would now be expired!), nor am I even talking to them since we totally OBLITERATED their Nuclear Facilities."
Days earlier, Trump had already blasted the press for reporting on the alleged proposal. "Who in the Fake News Media is the SleazeBag saying that 'President Trump wants to give Iran $30 Billion to build non-military Nuclear facilities.'Never heard of this ridiculous idea," he wrote, according to The Hill. "It's just another HOAX," he added.
While the president's post sounded unequivocal, it came amid an increasingly complex — and reportedly secretive — diplomatic effort to restart talks with Tehran following a series of high-stakes military actions across the region.
The War of Narratives
According to Daily News Brew, U.S. officials have already held three rounds of indirect negotiations with Iran, with a fourth reportedly scheduled in Rome. The outlines of the deal under discussion — limiting uranium enrichment, halting advanced centrifuge use, and giving international inspectors expanded access — are tougher than the original JCPOA in some respects. Still, Iran reportedly wants phased sanctions relief and written guarantees from the U.S., which critics say echoes the same flawed model.
Reports suggest his administration may also be weighing several proposals: offering billions in Gulf-backed reconstruction aid, lifting select sanctions, or converting the Fordow enrichment facility into a civilian site — all aimed at locking down a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Meanwhile, Israel — which launched the initial strike on Iran's nuclear facilities — remains skeptical. Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly demanding "zero enrichment," pushing for a full dismantling of Iran's program, according to the Daily News Brew.
And although Trump publicly claims the U.S. "obliterated" Iran's capabilities, according to the Irish Star, UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi recently told CBS News that the damage, while "severe," was far from permanent, as reported by MSN.
Trump, Obama, and the Shadow of the JCPOA
Trump's fury over the comparison to Obama is rooted in both policy and personal pride. He famously exited the JCPOA in 2018, branding the deal "the worst in history," according to the Daily News Brew. For Trump, any hint that he's revisiting similar terrain isn't just inaccurate — it's an affront.
But Coon' assertion, while controversial, isn't without evidence, and Trump's approach may be more pragmatic than advertised. That's a tricky narrative to balance — especially for a president who stakes his brand on strength and zero concessions.
Still, some insiders suggest the strong denial may be more about optics than substance. As tensions flare in the Middle East and critics on both sides push competing demands, Trump's team may need to keep all options on the table — even those that look like the old ones.
References:Trump Rages in Sulky Online Post Over Claims He Is 'Copying' Obama in 'Stupid' Plan | Trump Knocks Senate Democrat: 'I Am Not Offering Iran ANYTHING' | Trump Accused Of Copying Obama? | Trump Explodes at Claim He's Copying Obama's 'Stupid' Plan in Late-Night Post
