'Incompetent fools at every level': Don Winslow slams Trump over Iran war

Renowned crime novelist and political activist Don Winslow took to social media to criticize Donald Trump for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. President announced Operation Epic Fury, a targeted attack with Israel on Iran to dismantle Tehran's nuclear program on February 28. While Trump has maintained the enormous success of the operation, the Iran conflict has led to a disruption in global markets and oil prices, and is being called a "war of choice" by opposition lawmakers.

In a post on X, Winslow blamed Trump supporters for the current geopolitical and economic climate. "You voted for this. All 77 million of you. Gas pieces UP. Food prices UP. America at WAR. Widespread corruption across the Trump administration, Americans terrorized on American streets, Children separated from families, Incompetent fools at every level of Trump cabinet," he stated. 

Winslow, who announced his retirement from writing novels in 2024 to dedicate himself to political activism, has been a vocal and consistent critic of Trump, calling him the "worst President in the history of our country." Winslow's latest comments come as the Iran conflict crosses the two-week mark. While Trump continues to reiterate the successes of the war, many U.S. lawmakers feel that it is the beginning of another "forever war" that will cost the U.S. billions. Given the current economic climate, created by a set of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the fresh conflict has added to the increasing prices. 

The Iran conflict has led to a resurgence of inflationary pressures in the United States. Economic data indicate that the cost of living has risen noticeably in 2026, a trend that critics like Winslow connect directly to the administration's foreign and domestic policies. The administration, however, maintains that the military actions were necessary to address an immediate threat, citing claims that Iran was developing advanced missile capabilities, though these assertions remain disputed by some intelligence analysts and international experts.

In his most recent update on Operation Epic Fury, President Trump touted the damage U.S. forces have been able to mete out on Iran, framing the escalation as a long-overdue reckoning for the Islamic Republic. "Our powerful military campaign to end the threats posed by the Iranian regime continued in full force over the past few days," Trump stated. "They have been literally obliterated. The Air Force is gone. The Navy is gone. Many, many ships have been sunk. Their warfighting ships—but I guess they did not know how to use them. And anti-aircraft is decimated. Their radar is gone, and their leaders are gone. Other than that, they're doing quite well. They've been a terror for 47 years. And now I guess the world, through the United States, with the help of Israel, is doing what should have been done many years ago."