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“My name is Donald Trump and I’m the largest real estate developer in New York. I own buildings all over the place. I’ve mastered the art of the deal and turned the name Trump into the highest-quality brand.”

This is how Donald Trump introduced himself in the opening credits of The Apprentice when it first aired on 8 January 2004.

He was already a well-known businessman, having turned his father Fred’s rental company into a billion-dollar real estate empire. His turbulent finances – and love life – had also gained him notoriety in the tabloid press.

But it was his 11 years on The Apprentice that many say solidified his reputation – and paved the way to his shock White House win of 2016 – and second attempt at the presidency this year.

In his Trump Tower office in 2012. Pic: AP
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In his Trump Tower office in 2012. Pic: AP

‘My jet’s going to be in every episode’

When NBC first had the idea for The Apprentice, Donald Trump was one of many moguls who would sit at the boardroom table – with others proposed to front future series.

But having negotiated a 50% stake in the show and the episodes being filmed in Trump Tower, potential successors were soon shelved – and Trump stayed at the helm for 14 seasons.

According to reports, filming for the first episode, “Meet The Billionaire”, overran by hours, and Trump would call the channel at 6am the day after each one aired to get the earliest viewing figures.

Seemingly laser-focused on how the show could promote his businesses, he reportedly told TV bosses at the time: “My jet’s going to be in every episode. Even if it doesn’t get the ratings, it’s still going to be great for my brand.”

Donald Trump and Mark Burnett during The Apprentice.
Pic: Trump Prod/Mark Burnett Prod/Kobal/Shutterstock
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WithMark Burnett on The Apprentice.
Pic: Trump Prod/Mark Burnett Prod/Kobal/Shutterstock

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Further episodes were entitled “Sex, Lies and Altitude” and “Ethics Schmethics”.

Meanwhile, his opening voiceover acknowledged his previous financial difficulties, claiming, “It wasn’t always easy,” and that “15 years ago I was seriously in trouble… billions of dollars in debt”.

But he then exclaimed: “I fought back and I won… bigly.

“I used my brain and my negotiating skills and I worked it all out. Now my company is the biggest and strongest it ever was. And I’m having more fun than I ever have.”

Pic :AP
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At an NBC event for The Apprentice in 2015. Pic: AP

During his time on the show, he battled bankruptcies, court cases, and personal scandal.

But with 20 million viewers in the first year alone, his ‘The Donald’ persona and ‘You’re fired’ catchphrase is what many Americans knew and remembered him for.

Fresh Prince and Sex And The City

After rebranding his father’s business empire the Trump Organization in 1971, he was often pictured with celebrities at parties and married Czech model and athlete Ivana Zelnickova in 1977.

With first wife Ivana. Pic:MediaPunch /AP
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With first wife Ivana. Pic:MediaPunch /AP

His longstanding feud with then New York mayor Ed Koch often played out in newspaper and magazine interviews – also helping ensure he stayed in the public eye.

Meanwhile, throughout the 1980s and 1990s he bought casinos, hotels, and golf courses – as well as an American football team, 282ft yacht, and the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA beauty pageants.

Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss Universe Organization, gives Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, her sash during a news conference announcing that Prejean would retain her title in New York May 12, 2009. Prejean had been the recent subject of controversy regarding photographs from earlier in her modeling career and statements regarding marriage she made during the Miss USA pageant. BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE   REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS)
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With Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, in 2009. Pic: AP

Donald Trump (C) poses with Miss Universe Beauty Queens (L-R) Flaviana Matata, Angela Martini, Rosanna Purcell, Susie Castillo, Shandi Finnessey, Amelia Vega, Dayanna Mendoza, Justine Pasek, Riyo Mori, Crystle Stewart, Zana Krasniqi, Marigona Dragusha, and Chloe Martaud during the pageant photoshoot in New York, July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Jamie Fine (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS)
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With Miss Universe candidates in 2011. Pic: AP

During the 1990s, he also started making cameos on TV.

When the Home Alone sequel Lost In New York was released in 1992, both Trump and one of his biggest assets – Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel – were featured.

In 1994 he and his second wife, actress and TV presenter Marla Marples, played themselves in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Marla Maples gets a kiss from Donald Trump at the stage door of the Palace Theater in New York following a performance of "Will Rogers Follies," Aug. 3, 1992. Maples, who plays the role of "Ziegfeld's Favorite" in the musical, took over the role in the Tony Award-winning show from Cady Huffman, who was nominated for a Tony for her part. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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With second wife Marla Maples in New York in 1992. Pic: AP

As prospective buyers of the family home, Will Smith’s on-screen cousin Carlton screams: “It’s The Donald, oh my god!” before fainting, before his sister Hilary says: “You look much richer in person.”

When he appeared in the sitcom The Nanny in 1996, his team is reported to have asked scriptwriters to change the reference to him from a millionaire to a billionaire.

He also made appearances in the film The Little Rascals and as a business contact of a rich older man trying to seduce Kim Cattrall’s character Samantha in Sex And The City.

Donald Trump and Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2.
Pic:20thCentFox/Everett/Shutterstock
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With Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2. Pic:20thCentFox/Everett/Shutterstock

Real estate magnate Donald Trump makes a sweeping gesture as he tapes a guest appearance for a Mothers Day episode on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," in New York, April 13, 1993.  
Pic: AP
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On Saturday Night Live in 1993. Pic: AP


Meanwhile, the Trump empire was suffering major financial difficulty.

The US recession of the early 1990s hit Trump’s businesses and he eventually accumulated $5bn (£3.8bn) in debt.

He was forced to sell his airline, yacht, and take out third mortgages on most of his properties, with many banks refusing to do business with him as a result.

Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs (R) accepts an award from the Rush Philanthropic Foundation for his efforts to support public education and dedication to youth and social activism,  from Donald Trump and his wife Melania (L) at Trump's Trumps Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida on March 11, 2005.
Pic: Reuters
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With P Diddy and wife Melania in Florida in 2005. Pic: Reuters

In the 1990s and 2000s, Trump filed for bankruptcy six times.

Deutsche Bank came to his rescue, however, when they entered the US market in the early 2000s offering him millions in credit to fund Trump Tower among other projects.

Away from business, in 2005, Trump married his third wife, Melania.

Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. Pic: AP
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Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. Pic: AP

Dropped by Apprentice over Mexico claims

Trump had flirted with politics from 2000, running as a candidate for the fringe Reform Party in the California and Michigan primaries.

That year, he also published a book called The America We Deserve, in which he expressed a series of conservative political views.

Over the next decade, he registered as both a Republican and a Democrat.

Real estate developer and Reform Party presidential hopeful Donald Trump sits with model Melania Knauss before the Miami Heat-Washington Wizards game  in 1999
Pic: Miami Herald/AP
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With wife Melania during his Reform Party days in 1999. Pic: Miami Herald/AP

He made moves towards another presidential bid, this time as a Republican, in 2011, but ultimately declared he wouldn’t run.

Despite his failure to progress, he received widespread attention for promoting ‘birtherism’ – a conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the US.

The start of Trump’s political career marked the end of his time on The Apprentice.

In June 2015, NBC dropped him from the show over comments during his campaign launch speech about US Mexican immigrants being “rapists” and “bringing drugs”.

It was during this speech that he first vowed to “Make America Great Again”, having declared the American Dream “dead”.

Wearing a MAGA hat in March 2016 in Arizona. Pic: AP
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Wearing a MAGA hat in March 2016 in Arizona. Pic: AP

His campaign was overseen by the right-wing media figure Steve Bannon, who he appointed chief executive in mid-2016. In rally speeches, he made promises to “build a wall” along the US-Mexico border and throw his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton in prison over claims she was “crooked”.

He trailed in the opinion polls and an audio clip from 2005 appeared to reveal him bragging about sexually assaulting women.

But despite many failing to take him seriously, the race narrowed and Clinton suffered a shock defeat, paving the way for a Trump White House in January 2017.

Hillary Clinton gives her concession speech in New York after losing the 2016 election. Pic: Reuters
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Hillary Clinton gives her concession speech in New York after losing the 2016 election. Pic: Reuters

Twitter president

Trump continued causing controversy when he entered the Oval Office.

He often bypassed official communication channels, preferring to make formal policy announcements on Twitter instead.

With wife Melania and daughter Tiffany at his 2017 inauguration. Pic: AP
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With wife Melania and daughter Tiffany at his 2017 inauguration. Pic: AP

Domestically, he made moves to dismantle Obamacare, and shifted the political makeup of the Supreme Court by nominating three conservative justices, which has since led to the overturning of constitutional abortion rights through Roe v Wade.

He quickly imposed what was dubbed a ‘Muslim ban’, temporarily stopping immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Abroad, he withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement and fundamentally changed trade relations with China and other key states.

He was praised for spearheading the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, and many hoped would help move closer to peace for Israel-Palestine.

Despite declaring he had “made peace in the Middle East”, however, he also withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal.

With the leaders from Israel (left), UAE (second right), and Morocco (right) at the White House in 2020. Pic: Reuters
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With the leaders from Israel (left), UAE (second right), and Morocco (right) at the White House in 2020. Pic: Reuters

Meanwhile, his 2016 election campaign was investigated for alleged Russian interference. More than 30 people were charged, with his former attorney Michael Cohen among those sent to prison. Trump himself was never indicted and the special counsel probe failed to show any criminal collusion.

He was impeached twice – the first time in 2019 after an inquiry found he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dig up dirt on his 2020 election rival Joe Biden – and the second time over the 6 January insurrection.

His handling of the coronavirus pandemic was widely criticised – but supported by libertarians, mask and vaccine sceptics.

On the White House balcony in October 20210. Pic: AP
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On the White House balcony in October 2020. Pic: AP

Despite contracting the virus in October 2020, he repeatedly referred to it as the “China virus” and made false claims that bleach could cure it.

At the November election, Trump got 74 million votes – more than any other sitting president in history – but lost by seven million overall.

Insurrection, impeachments and indictments

Trump immediately disputed the 2020 election result, claiming widespread electoral fraud in multiple states.

His “stop the steal” campaign culminated in a “Save America” rally at Washington DC’s National Mall on 6 January 2021.

Ahead of the formal verification of votes by the Electoral College, Trump urged supporters to “fight like hell”, vowing “we will never concede” and “we are going to the Capitol”.

Donald Trump supporters at his Save America rally on 6 January 2021. Pic: Reuters
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Trump supporters at his Save America rally on 6 January 2021. Pic: Reuters

When the rally ended, a mob descended on the Capitol, breaking into buildings, making death threats, and causing damage.

Six people died as a result, Trump was impeached for a second time, and he faced both criminal and civil lawsuits.

Trump supporters scale the wall of the Capitol Building in Washington DC on 6 January 2021. Pic: Reuters
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Trump supporters scale the wall of the Capitol Building in Washington DC on 6 January 2021. Pic: Reuters

The aftermath saw Trump largely abandoned by the Republican Party.

He refused to attend his successor’s inauguration and was banned by nearly all mainstream social media platforms, leading him to set up his own – Truth Social – in 2022.

Momentum began to build against him legally – and he faced criminal cases for alleged electoral fraud in Georgia, the removal of classified documents in Florida, and ‘hush money’ over an affair with former adult film star Stormy Daniels in New York.

Adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2005. Pic: AP
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Adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2005. Pic: AP

The Florida case was thrown out but he became the first US president in history to be convicted when he was found guilty in the hush money case. He is yet to be sentenced.

Separately, he lost two civil lawsuits in New York – one for sexually assaulting and defaming the writer E Jean Caroll and a second for overvaluing his business assets to secure bank loans. The fines for both totalled almost £350m.

Mugshot from the Fulton County Sherriff's Office in Georgia. Pic: AP/Fulton County Sherriff
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Mugshot from the Fulton County Sherriff’s Office in Georgia. Pic: AP/Fulton County Sherriff

Comeback

After the insurrection, Republican donors, congressmen and women effectively disowned Trump and he was blamed for the party’s results in the 2022 midterm elections.

But he remained popular with the grassroots, and had a more direct line to them when Elon Musk took over Twitter, reinstating Trump’s account.

Trump used the criminal cases against him to fuel his anti-establishment image and amid poor approval ratings for Joe Biden and a lack of another clear candidate, he re-emerged as a serious contender for the Republican nomination.

An emotional Joe Biden delivers a speech to the 2024 Democratic National Convention Pic: AP
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Joe Biden at the 2024 Democratic National Convention Pic: AP

Donald Trump.
Pic: AP
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Raising a fist as security agents try to shield him in Pennsylvania. Pic: AP

At the same time, Mr Biden’s age and mental capacity came increasingly into question.

And after confusing Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Russia’s Vladimir Putin – and a disastrous TV debate, during which Trump said “I don’t think he knows what he said”, he was forced to pull out of the 2024 race.

Trump’s narrow escape from an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally emboldened him and his supporters further.

RNC delegates wear fake ear bandages in support of Donald Trump
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Republican supporters wear solidarity ear bandages for Trump at the party convention. Pic: AP

His defiant raised fist and ear injury became symbols of the subsequent Republican Convention, where he formally accepted the party’s nomination and his most loyal followers sported solidarity ear bandages.

He now faces Kamala Harris for the presidency and a second shot at the White House on 5 November.

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Donald Trump’s four-letter fury is a reminder there’s one F word he fears most

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Donald Trump's four-letter fury is a reminder there's one F word he fears most

Failure – it’s the F word Donald Trump fears most.

Hence the early morning rant from a president, F for frustrated.

The day before had seen head-spinning developments in which a ceasefire between Israel and Iran turned on a Truth Social post.

If it felt fragile, that’s how it appeared overnight. There were exchanges between both sides beyond the deadline, and the president woke frustrated.

An unlikely diplomatic result looked exactly that.

Donald Trump speaks to media ahead of boarding Marine One to depart to attend the NATO Summit in The Hague. Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump lashed out at Iran and Israel before boarding a flight to Europe on Tuesday. Pic: Reuters

Trump’s four-lettered fury was aimed primarily at Israel, which on Tuesday morning gave the appearance of an ally that had reeled him into the fight and wasn’t letting go.

It also leant into doubts around Trump’s influence over Israeli actions.

More on Donald Trump

If this process is heading towards nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, Trump doesn’t need questions surrounding his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tehran needs to believe Trump can tighten the leash.

It will have been comforted by his remarks on board Air Force One, from where he called Netanyahu.

Speaking to the travelling media, Trump said he didn’t want to see regime change in Iran, having floated support for the idea last week.

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Israel’s prime minister’s office issued a statement that spoke of having “achieved all the war’s objectives”.

The wording speaks to a move beyond aggression.

Time will tell, and this ceasefire feels fragile still, but it’ll do for Trump for now, the self-styled peacemaker making peace one social media post at a time.

He is strengthened by the success of his diplomacy, a fact laid bare – where else? – on Truth Social.

Read more:
How much damage did the US inflict on Iran?
Can Tehran trust Trump as a broker of peace?

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on his way to The Hague, to join world leaders gathering in the Netherlands for a two-day NATO summit. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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Trump boarding Air Force One to travel to Europe on Tuesday. Pic: AP

As he flew towards the NATO summit, Trump posted a message from the NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte.

It’s unclear if Rutte knew it would be published, but it’s abundantly clear he’s a man with lips puckered as the US president swaggers towards the gathering.

Referring to NATO countries’ commitment to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP, he wrote: “Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe and the world.

“You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.”

The effusive praise speaks to power enhanced for the US president as he prepares to attend the NATO gathering.

His stature is reinforced by his most recent result… as long as it lasts.

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Iranian state media says ceasefire with Israel has begun, after night of deadly strikes

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Iranian state media says ceasefire with Israel has begun, after night of deadly strikes

Iranian state television says a ceasefire in its war with Israel has now begun, following a night of missile strikes.

Israel’s ambulance service says at least four people were killed in overnight strikes, with footage from southern Israel showing extensive damage to what appeared to be a residential building.

Sirens sounded in several areas – and members of the public who received an alert were ordered to take shelter – with explosions heard over Tel Aviv.

Israel-Iran latest: Ceasefire deal has been reached

Early on Tuesday morning, US President Donald Trump declared: “The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!”

The message on Truth Social followed a series of posts on Monday, in which the president declared that a “complete and total ceasefire” had been agreed upon between the two countries and would begin at approximately 5am UK time.

Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP
Image:
Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP

In a post on X, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that Tehran “has no intention” to continue its response to Israel – provided it “stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people”.

Israeli media reports suggested Benjamin Netanyahu was also on board – provided Iran stops firing missiles towards the country – but there has been no official confirmation.

Donald Trump at a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House
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Donald Trump in the Situation Room at the White House over the weekend. Pic: Reuters

Mr Trump had written: “Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran, on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.’

“This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!”

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Iran’s nuclear capabilities

In an interview with Sky News’ partner network NBC, the president said it was a “great day” for the US and the Middle East – and a “wonderful day” for the world.

“I’m very happy to have been able to get the job done. A lot of people were dying, and it was only going to get worse. It would have brought the whole Middle East down,” he said.

Mr Trump said he thinks the ceasefire is “unlimited” and is “going to go forever” – adding: “I don’t believe they will ever be shooting at each other again.”

Analysis: Seasoned diplomats startled at developments

I’ve spoken to a diplomat involved in the fast-moving developments of the past 12 hours.

The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak publicly, told me that Donald Trump called the Emir of Qatar yesterday evening.

Trump told the emir that he had a commitment from Israel that it would cease its attacks on Iran. Trump asked the emir to try to secure the same commitment from the Iranians.

The Qatari PM and vice president JD Vance engaged on the details of what they hoped could be achieved.

The Qatari PM then spoke to Iranians (it’s not clear who within the Iranian power structure the Qataris spoke to, and my source wouldn’t say). The Iranians agreed to stop their attacks.

Shortly after, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted the confirmation, saying: “The military operations of our powerful armed forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.

“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave armed forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”

My source could not comment on the complex timeline (six hours, 12 hours, 24 hours) laid out in Donald Trump’s Truth Social post, but it’s thought that this might have been overtaken now by agreements made by Trump, the Israelis, the Iranians, and Qatar. Time will tell.

It’s clear from the tone of the messages I have had from various sources that the pace and style of the developments of the past 12 to 24 hours have left even these seasoned diplomats startled.

Messages from several Middle Eastern diplomats have included emojis reflecting exasperation, surprise and bewilderment.

Just hours earlier, people in the Qatari capital Doha had stopped and gazed up at the sky as Iranian missiles flew to the American al Udeid base and interceptors fired.

Officials said there were no casualties, and the US later confirmed it had been warned about the attack by Iran.

Mr Trump was in the Situation Room in the White House as the strikes took place.

He later claimed on his social network that the missiles were a “very weak response”, which the US “expected” and “very effectively countered”.

The Iranian attack came after the US dropped “bunker buster bombs” on three key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend.

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In a new interview on Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance claimed Iran is no longer able to build nuclear weapons after the American attacks.

“Iran was very close to having a nuclear weapon,” he said. “Now Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have because we destroyed it.”

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Can Tehran regard Trump as a trusted broker of peace when he floated the idea of regime change in Iran?

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Can Tehran regard Trump as a trusted broker of peace when he floated the idea of regime change in Iran?

These days, peace is a post on social media. On Donald Trump’s Truth Social site, it came in two parts.

Part one read: “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE.”

The Magna Carta it wasn’t, but it was a peace treaty for our times – a US president announcing there would be no retaliation against Iran’s missile attack.

An anxious world watching for US bombers returning to Iranian skies could cool its jets – and the primetime president could feel vindicated, having enjoyed strategic success.

Donald Trump at a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House
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Donald Trump at a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House. Pic: Reuters

Trump has tweaked the politics and military landscape around Iran to suit US interests, without a single American life lost.

He had framed US intervention in Iran as an effort to prevent a “forever” foreign war, not to provoke it, and he is sitting pretty, following ugly predictions he’d be sucked into conflict.

Live updates: Three killed as Iranian missiles strike Israel

More on Iran

Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP
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Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP

Then, on Truth Social, there was peace “part two”.

A couple of hours after announcing non-retaliation, Trump wrote the sequel: “Ceasefire.”

He posted: “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!” – saying a “complete and total” ceasefire had been fully agreed between Israel and Iran.

Quite the day of problem-solving for the self-styled “peacemaker-in-chief”. Quite the day of problems unsolved too – time will tell.

As deadlines loomed, neither Israel nor Iran appeared fully committed to the Trump script, and fresh missiles were fired overnight.

Daytime will test the durability of a ceasefire. There are motivations on both sides to continue a conflict in which both see the other as an existential threat.

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Can Tehran regard Donald Trump as a trusted broker of peace when he floated the idea of regime change in Iran, as pursued by Israel?

Can Israel be convinced to pull back on its military advantage when its instinct will be to reinforce superiority and undermine an Iranian rebuild?

Trump’s influence will be tested, as ever, when he flies to a NATO summit in The Netherlands today. For him, it can be a difficult crowd and one for whom he remains a mystery.

A positive result in the Middle East will help to confound their curiosity, for the better.

It’s the most important day for Donald Trump since the last one.

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