Trump Says US Could Be ‘Better Off’ If No Deal Reached With Iran

The president publicly rejected Irans peace proposal and called it “treasonous” for critics to claim the US is not winning. Even as he simultaneously told Congress that hostilities have “terminated.”

By Staff Reporter The Global Report

Published: May 2 2026 · 12 min read

[ President Trump speaking at The Villages, Florida. May 1 2026 ]

President Donald Trump addressed supporters at a retirement community event in Florida on Friday, where he made remarks about the Iran war and ongoing peace negotiations.

Here are the key developments:

Trump said the US may be ” off” walking away from Iran negotiations rather than accepting a weak deal.
He rejected Irans peace proposal saying Tehran was “asking for things that I just can’t agree to.”
Trump called it “treasonous” for critics to say the US is not winning the war with Iran.
He simultaneously sent letters to Congress declaring that military “hostilities have terminated” after a ceasefire.

A new poll shows that 61% of Americans believe the US military action against Iran was a mistake.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped than 90% since the conflict began.

President Donald Trump signaled on Friday that the United States may be better served by abandoning peace negotiations with Iran rather than accepting a deal that fails to meet his administrations demands.

Speaking at an event in West Palm Beach, Florida Trump boasted of military progress and vowed not to withdraw forces prematurely.

“We had to get this done. We’re really doing well. We’re just winning ” Trump told the crowd.

He added that Irans leadership was angling for terms to themselves and that the US would be better off without a deal if a truly favorable agreement could not be secured.

“They’re not coming through with the kind of deal that we have to have.. We’re going to get this thing done properly. We’re not going to leave and then have the problem arise in three more years.”

Trump Rejects Irans Latest Peace Proposal

Earlier in the day before departing for Florida Trump told reporters at the White House that he was not satisfied with an offer Iran had conveyed through Pakistani mediators.

Asked what specifically was wrong with the offer Trump replied that Tehran was “asking for things that I just can’t agree to.”

Irans proposal reportedly included a provision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping traffic. An American demand. But only on the condition that discussions about Irans nuclear program be postponed until after a formal end to the war.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered an assessment of the offer acknowledging it was “better than what we thought they were going to submit ” but questioning Tehrans sincerity and emphasizing that any agreement must prevent Iran from ever advancing toward a nuclear weapon.

‘Treasonous to Say America Is Not Winning

At the Florida event Trump turned his fire on critics who have questioned whether the United States is achieving its objectives in the conflict.

“We get the radical left to say, ‘We’re not winning we’re not winning.’ They don’t have any military left. It’s unbelievable. It’s actually I believe, it’s treasonous. You want to know the truth it’s treasonous.”

War Powers Showdown With Congress

Friday marked the day since Trump first notified Congress of hostilities with Iran. The deadline established by the War Powers Resolution of 1973 for a president to either seek formal congressional authorization for the use of military force or cease operations.

In identical letters sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley Trump argued that the question was now moot.

“On April 7 2026 I ordered a two-week ceasefire. The ceasefire has since been extended. There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28 2026 have terminated ” the letter read.

The Diplomatic Roller Coaster

The peace process between Washington and Tehran has been an often volatile affair.

Talks hosted in Islamabad week ended without progress. Earlier in April a deal appeared within reach before Trump took to media to announce provisions that Iranian officials said had not yet been agreed upon.

The US has set red lines throughout the talks: Iran must freeze its uranium enrichment program and surrender its stockpile of near-bomb-grade enriched material.

Tehran in turn has insisted it retain control of the Strait of Hormuz and demanded relief from US sanctions.

According to the UK Royal Navy shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen by than 90% since the conflict began.

What Comes Next

With the ceasefire extended but fragile and peace talks producing no breakthrough the Trump administration faces a narrowing set of options.

For now both sides appear to be waiting. Iranian officials by Monday had softened their resistance to negotiations but the contours of any agreement remained deeply unclear.

War Timeline

Feb 28: US strikes on Iran begin; Trump notifies Congress of hostilities.
Mar 6: Trump posts: “No deal, with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.”
Apr 7: Trump orders two-week ceasefire; later extended indefinitely.
Apr 13: US counter-blockade of ports begins.
Apr 20: Deal appeared close before Trumps social media posts derailed talks.
May 1: Trump rejects Iran proposal; claims hostilities “terminated.”

By the Numbers

61%: Americans who say the Iran action was a mistake (WaPo/ABC/Ipsos)

90%+Drop in Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic since the conflict started.

It has been 60 days since the hostilities began. This is also, around the time when the War Powers Resolution deadline comes up.

The US has announced that 5,000 of its troops will be withdrawn from Germany. This will happen over the 6 to 12 months.

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