Trump boasts his tariff policies as US rescues missing pilot in Iran

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump struck a rather defiant tone on Truth Social Saturday, April 4, bragging about his economic record while taking aim at the media amid criticism over the Iran war.

Trump patted himself on the back for his trade policies that he said were delivering results.

“Not only were the jobs numbers GREAT yesterday, 178,000 new jobs, but the TRADE DEFICIT was down 55%, the biggest drop in history. THANK YOU MR. TARIFF!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “All of this and, simultaneously, getting rid of a Nuclear Iran. MAGA!!!" 

Earlier in the day, Trump lashed out at The New York Times, mocking what he described as a blunder in a headline that misstated NATO’s full name.

“The Failing New York Times, whose lack of credibility, and their constant Fake News attacks on your favorite President, ME, has caused its circulation to absolutely PLUMMET, referred to our severely weakened and extremely unreliable 'partner,' NATO, as the North American Treaty Organization,” Trump said, calling it “a very interesting mistake.”

Trump celebrates recovery of missing pilot

US special forces snatched the second crew member from a downed F-15E Strike Eagle out of Iranian territory following a "heavy firefight," a senior American official confirmed to Al Jazeera early Sunday.

The daring recovery capped a frantic 48-hour search-and-rescue mission deep inside hostile territory. It was the first time Iranian forces had shot down a manned US warplane since the war began in February. Both American airmen are now safe with US troops, Trump confirmed. He called it one of the “most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History.” 

Previously, Trump had voiced concerns that Iranian forces could beat their US counterparts to the missing pilot.

“We hope that’s not going to happen,” he told The Independent during a brief phone call Friday, referring to the possibility of Iranian forces reaching the pilot first.

The crash marked the fourth American fighter aircraft lost since Trump launched a sweeping air campaign against Tehran on February 28. Among those losses were three F-15E Strike Eagle jets downed by friendly fire over Kuwait in March.

Separately, an A-10 attack aircraft was reportedly struck in the Persian Gulf region, though officials said its pilot managed to reach Kuwaiti airspace and was rescued.

Fresh threats toward Iran and rising price fears

Meanwhile, Trump continued issuing warnings to Tehran. He demanded action on a key choke point.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them,” he wrote, appearing to mix up “rain” and “reign.”

The threat appeared to rattle energy watchers, who warned that further escalation could hit Americans at the pump.

“More escalations like this likely mean oil prices continue heading higher when markets open tomorrow night,” said GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan on X. “We’re going to see a dozen states and more push higher gas prices down around mid-day Monday, especially in price cycling states. Be prepared.”