Episode summary
Trump Wants Iran 'Back To The Stone Age,' Moon Mission Liftoff | Bloomberg Daybreak: US Edition
Bloomberg Daybreak: US Edition
· · 15 min
Summary
President Trump used a rare prime-time address to defend the war against Iran and signal that it could intensify over the next two to three weeks. He said the US action was close to completing its objective, but also warned of more strikes and floated targeting electricity plants if he does not get a deal. The speech did not offer a clear exit plan, and it gave no concrete path for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping fears are already driving energy prices higher.
Markets reacted quickly: crude surged, Treasury yields climbed, the dollar strengthened and gold fell as investors reassessed the risks to oil supply and global growth. The host and a guest said the address suggested mixed messages on diplomacy and force, while allies were left to organize their own efforts to secure maritime traffic in the Gulf. There was also fresh concern that Trump could further weaken NATO by treating the war as leverage against European partners.
The show also covered Capitol Hill’s effort to end the longest partial government shutdown, a preview of Friday’s jobs report, and NASA’s successful Artemis 2 launch on the first return toward the moon in more than 50 years.
Key takeaways
- Trump said the war with Iran is still in an early escalation phase and warned of more attacks over the next two to three weeks.
- A guest said the president offered no clear plan for the Strait of Hormuz, leaving allies to handle maritime security without the US.
- Oil prices jumped and gold sold off after the speech, with Brent trading just below $109 a barrel.
- The host said markets are reading Trump’s comments as a mix of diplomacy and military threat, not a defined endgame.
- The show said Republicans now have a plan to split DHS funding and try to end the shutdown deadlock.
Notable quotes
“We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong”
“the president said the action he's taken is close to achieving that objective. But before that, he says there will need to be more action”
“He was a little bit nebulous about exactly how long this could last”
“the big question here is um you know what does Trump do in the event of an article 5 event”
“Brent, the international benchmark is up more than seven and a half% trading just shy of $109 per barrel”
How the episode opens
Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio, news. — Good morning. I'm Nathan Hager. — And I'm Alexis Christopherus. Here are the stories we're following today. Alexis, we begin with a major speech from President Donald Trump as the US war with Iran nears the end of its fiveweek mark. In a prime time address heard live on Bloomberg radio, the president defended his decision to go after Thrron's nuclear and missile programs more than a month ago.
For years, everyone has said that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. But in the end, those are just words if you're not willing to take action when the time comes. — And the president said the action he's taken is close to achieving that objective. But before that, he says there will need to be more action. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong.
At the same time, President Trump says discussions with Iran's regime are ongoing, but he did not lay out a plan to convince Thyron to allow passage through the Straight of Hormuz. The president had this to say to allies struggling to get fuel through the straight.
Number one, buy oil from the United States of America. We have plenty. We have so much. And number two, build up some delayed courage. Should have done it before. Should have done it with us as we asked. Go to the straight and just take it. President Trump also says the loss of 13 US service members in the conflict has only stiffened his resolve to finish the job.
And Nathan, the speech is getting an anxious reaction in markets and in Washington DC. Bloomberg White House correspondent Jeff Mason says it's the kind of address presidents typically give at the start of a conflict.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- iran war
- nato exit threats
- lunar mission nasa
- space launch system
- treasury yields oil dollar
Companies and tickers mentioned
- LMT
- BA
- Lockheed Martin
- Boeing
Watch the episode
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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