John Cusack slams Trump over Iran attack claim: 'US is a lawless gangster nation'

John Cusack mocked Donald Trump’s Iran threat claim, saying advice from Steve Witcoff and Jared Kushner was the 'dumbest reason' to start a war
PUBLISHED MAR 13, 2026
Actor John Cusack blasted Donald Trump on X after the president claimed he was warned Iran might attack the United States, accusing leaders of reckless behavior (Getty Images)
Actor John Cusack blasted Donald Trump on X after the president claimed he was warned Iran might attack the United States, accusing leaders of reckless behavior (Getty Images)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Actor John Cusack unleashed a furious attack on Donald Trump after the president claimed he had been warned that Iran might attack the United States.

Cusack’s criticism came in a sharply worded post on X, where he mocked Trump’s explanation and accused the country’s leadership of acting recklessly.



John Cusack slams Trump’s Iran warning claim

Cusack’s outrage centered on Trump’s explanation that he was warned about a possible Iranian attack based on information passed along by close associates.

In his post, the actor wrote, “The US is a lawless gangster nation run by criminal idiots of world historic proportions, literally clowns from hell.”

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 04: John Cusack speaks at the Apple Store Soho Presents: Meet The Filmmaker:
John Cusack speaks at the Apple Store Soho Presents: Meet The Filmmaker: 'Love And Mercy' at Apple Store Soho on June 4, 2015 in New York City (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

He went further while mocking the reasoning behind Trump’s claim about the threat.

“Trump’s pronouncement that Steve witcoff, a real estate grifter lackey, and his idiotic son in law told him Iran was going to attack the US is the dumbest reason in earth’s history for starting a world war,” Cusack wrote.

John Cusack blasts Trump during Chicago rally

Cusack has not limited his criticism of Trump to social media. The actor has also spoken openly about his views in public appearances.

During the ‘No Kings’ rally in Chicago on Saturday, October 18, Cusack expressed similar frustration while speaking with CNN reporter Whitney Wild.

BERLIN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 16: Actor John Cusack attends the 'Chi-Raq' premiere during the 66th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Berlinale Palace on February 16, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Actor John Cusack attends the 'Chi-Raq' premiere during the 66th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Berlinale Palace on February 16, 2016 in Berlin, Germany (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

While reacting to the deployment of Border Patrol and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Chicago, Cusack bluntly told the president to “go to hell.”

He also criticized the presence of federal agents in the city and described the situation in stark terms.

According to Cusack, the move reflected what he called an “authoritarian” approach. 

The actor argued that Trump misunderstood the city’s history and the role it has played in labor movements.

US President Donald Trump arrives for a Medal of Honor Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 02, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump awarded three soldiers the highest military decoration; Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, who died in 1985, for shielding Jewish prisoners from Nazi guards during World War II; then-Staff Sgt. Terry Richardson for saving 85 lives of fellow soldiers during the Vietnam War; and Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis who died in the Afghanistan War when he shielded another soldier from a suicide bomber. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump arrives for a Medal of Honor Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 02, 2026 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

“What’s interesting is that he doesn’t understand that all the labor rights around the world came from this town, this place,” Cusack said during the interview. “So if he thinks this place is going to be a fascist hub, no chance."

John Cusack accuses Trump politics of division

Cusack also argued that the actions taken by the administration were part of a familiar pattern used by authoritarian leaders.

“Everyone knows the score, right?” Cusack said. “The authoritarians divide and conquer and they create an ‘other’ and then they pick on it, pick on the person, harass them, jail them, and that’s all used as a distraction so they can steal as much as they can [and] maintain power.”

The actor then described what he believed was happening on the streets. “We have masked goons roaming the streets, hiding their faces, abducting people,” Cusack said.

RELATED TOPICS US STRIKES IRAN

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