Trump kills troop talk, backs $200B war plan as Iran crumbles: 'Small price to pay'
"Do you intend to potentially put U.S. troops, or more troops, in the region?"@POTUS: "No, I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you — but I'm not putting troops." pic.twitter.com/OvrcTVtg1U
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 19, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump ruled out deploying additional American troops to the region even as his administration weighed a $200 billion military funding push.
Trump said on Thursday, March 19, that the funding is aimed at strengthening US readiness in a “very volatile world,” including replenishing and expanding ammunition stockpiles.
When asked about putting US troops on the ground, Trump said, "No, I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you, but I'm not putting troops."
Trump claims Iran war almost over
Trump said the conflict with Iran was nearing its end, asserting that American forces had “obliterated” much of Tehran’s military capability.
He claimed Iran’s navy, air force and key defense systems had been largely destroyed, adding that US forces were operating freely in Iranian airspace and were “substantially ahead of schedule.”
Trump justifies $200 billion military push
Defending the massive $200 billion funding proposal, Trump said it extended beyond the Iran war and reflected the need to rebuild military capacity.
"We have the strongest military in the world...The other night, they had 114 rockets shot at a certain location—highly sophisticated rockets...every single one of them was shot down with our equipment...It's a small price to pay to make sure that we stay tippy top," he said.
.@POTUS on military funding: "We have the strongest military in the world...The other night, they had 114 rockets shot at a certain location—highly sophisticated rockets...every single one of them was shot down with our equipment...It's a small price to pay to make sure that we… pic.twitter.com/WOLmbCoJKb
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 19, 2026
He argued that previous policies under Joe Biden had depleted US stockpiles through aid to Ukraine.
Trump said US defense manufacturers were expanding production at unprecedented levels, with new factories being built to accelerate the output of weapons and munitions.
He added that companies had been pushed to prioritize production over stock buybacks.
Trump asks allies to step in including Japan
Trump pointed to reported defections within Iran’s leadership and military, suggesting the regime is under mounting pressure. He said the US was also targeting financial networks linked to Iranian authorities.
Trump praised Japan as a strong partner and said he expected it to “step up,” particularly given its reliance on energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
He also criticized some NATO allies for not contributing enough to securing the key waterway.
Trump said he had warned Israel against escalating strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, signaling an effort to contain broader fallout.
He also defended not informing allies ahead of military action, saying operational surprise was critical to early success. Looking ahead, Trump signaled upcoming discussions with global partners, including China, with energy and trade expected to dominate the agenda.
