Donald Trump's reliance on a two-week timeline for a decision on Iran represents a striking failure of self-awareness.
The White House says Trump’s decision on Iran is “two weeks†away.
It’s rare to see a failure of self-awareness this brazen. Does the administration not realize that we’re all well aware of the “two week†trick? Which they’ve relied on far too often, for far too long? www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-06-19T18:21:06.049Z
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/familiar-metric-white-house-says-expect-iran-decision-two-weeks-rcna213980
Evidently, I can stop hitting refresh — for two weeks.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:aunpu65mdrhwfie7ynymlzeh/post/3lry3ggarcc2k
At her latest briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the “speculation” about the White House’s policy, which led her to read a prepared statement from the president. It read, “
Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”
It’s difficult to say with confidence whether these negotiations exist or whether they’ll succeed, but
the fact that Trump and his team has rolled out another “two week” timeline represents a remarkable failure of self-awareness.
Last week for example, the president said U.S. trading partners should expect letters on unilateral tariff rates in “two weeks.” Shortly before that, the president was asked about Vladimir Putin’s alleged interest in “peace.” He replied, “
I can’t tell you that, but I’ll let you know in about two weeks.”
Last month, Trump was asked about tariff rates on pharmaceutical products. “I’ll know in the next two weeks,” he said.
Alas, we can keep going.
Where’s Trump’s health care plan? It’ll be ready in “two weeks.” What about a possible minimum-wage increase? That, too, will be unveiled in “two weeks.” On everything from tax policy to infrastructure, immigration to reproductive health, the president’s detailed solutions are always just “two weeks” away......
In this latest example, a reporter felt compelled to remind Leavitt of the familiarity of the administration’s latest timeline.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3lry33cl6562h
If recent history is any guide, she and Trump will keep using it anyway, indifferent to the embarrassment.
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