Amid retaliation fears, basketball legend endorses Trump’s bombing of Iran: ‘You prevented a War’

Trump

President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arriving at the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)AP

UPDATE: Per The Associated Press, Iran launched a missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites.

The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran. The U.S. confirmed the air base in Qatar was targeted by a missile attack from Iran and said no casualties were reported.

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You don’t have to go far in scanning the headlines to sense the fear that the United States’ bombing of Iran has brought upon America for the potential of being involved in another war.

Late Saturday (ET), the U.S. inserted itself into Israel’s war with Iran by striking three sites aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Addressing the nation from the White House, President Donald Trump asserted that Iran’s key nuclear were “completely and fully obliterated” after he announced the result of a “successful attack” on Truth Social. There was no independent damage assessment.

While Trump and his allies project confidence in it being a confined mission that doesn’t require the United States to escalate the situation further, questions and worries are mounting about how Iran’s weakened military might respond.

Auburn college basketball coach Bruce Pearl, a huge Trump fan, is not one of them, saying that he thinks these bombings will do the opposite.

“Thank you Mr president for your strength and vision, keeping us safe. Proud of our troops!“ Pearl wrote to X on Saturday night. “You did what no one has had the courage to do for far too long. You were patient and clear. Pray for Peace through prosperity in the Middle East, expand now on the AA. You prevented a War.”

Some have questioned the legality of the U.S. strikes; noting that war must be declared and approved by Congress under the Constitution.

Pearl, who is Jewish, is the chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association. He has been vocal in his support of bombing Iran.

On Sunday, Pearl echoed a line from Trump’s playbook.

“Thank you God for your protection over our troops,” Pearl wrote. “We are not at war with Iran, we are at war with Iran’s military nuclear program. The President wants peace, now the ball is in the court of the Iranian leadership. Irans terrorist reach has been diminished but still present.”

Pearl’s comments following the United States’ involvement drew mostly negative reaction on X.

As an Auburn alumni. Today is when BP is no longer someone I can support.

HOW IS THIS PREVENTING WAR?!

Stick to basketball.

You people are psychopaths

Pray for peace as we drop bombs? Cognitive dissonance much?

The Associated Press contributed to this story

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