Johanna Maska, a longtime aide to Barack Obama, suggested that the Trump administration should share its current foreign policy victory in Iran with past presidents.
CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings gently reminded her that it's okay, on occasion, to give Trump credit for something.
The exchange took place during a panel discussion on "CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip" on Monday, when the host wondered if it might be too early to take a victory lap on the ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Jennings was undaunted, announcing he'd be glad to take that lap.
“No. I‘ll be glad to take one," he said. "What he did was a courageous move."
"Today is a great day for America. It‘s a great day for Western civilization.”
Maska jumped in to take umbrage with President Trump taking credit for an operation that was, in her mind, several administrations in the making. Meaning she's unaware of the fact that, while past presidents have certainly talked about stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions, Trump was the only one with the courage to take action.
“Scott, my problem is the Trump Administration is taking a victory lap as if they‘re the only ones who planned this. And I understand he took the action, but this action was planned by the military for multiple administrations," said Maska.
An exasperated Jennings offered this advice: “So, occasionally, occasionally, the correct answer is, ‘Good job, President Trump. Well done.’ Occasionally, that‘s the right answer.”
Former Obama aide suggests Trump needs to share credit for developments in the Middle East with past presidents.@ScottJenningsKY: "Occasionally, the correct answer is, ‘Good job, President Trump. Well done.’" pic.twitter.com/NwXzn5xzMi
— Rusty (@Rusty_Weiss) June 24, 2025
RELATED: Biden’s Middle East Advisor Offers Stunning Praise for Trump’s Leadership: ‘Best Place We Can Be’
Scott Jennings Embarrassed Democrats Again – And This Time, All He Had to Do Was Let Them Talk
On the matter of taking a victory lap over the ceasefire being perhaps premature, there may be some credence. The Middle East is a notorious tinder box in which any minor disagreement could spark new attacks. And, in fact, there has already been reporting that Iran has breached the ceasefire.
But upon learning that the president likely decimated Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon, brought two warring nations together to bring peace in under two weeks, and might have initiated a domino effect leading to peace elsewhere, the proper response is, as Scott said, "Good job, President Trump. Well done."
Jennings knew the Democrats on the panel would be unable to offer any positive feedback regarding Trump. He even tried offering advice before the show.
"I’m not accustomed to helping them, but before every Democrat goes on TV tonight to embarrass themselves here’s a better answer: Trump was right. Good job, Mr. President," Jennings wrote on X. "Will save you a lot of trouble and stupid video clips."
I’m not accustomed to helping them, but before every Democrat goes on TV tonight to embarrass themselves here’s a better answer:
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) June 23, 2025
Trump was right. Good job, Mr. President.
Will save you a lot of trouble and stupid video clips.
Maska jumped in and provided an immediate stupid clip. Should have taken the advice.
You want Obama, he of pallets of cash fame via the Iran nuclear "deal," to get credit for ending Iran's nuclear ambitions? You want Biden, whose ineffective diplomacy and relaxed sanctions enforcement allowed Iran to further their program, to get credit?
What alternate universe are we living in?
A more reasonable approach was taken by Brett McGurk, the National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa during the Biden presidency, who offered surprising praise and optimism for Trump and his handling of the Iran conflict.
“Bottom line, this is about the best place we can be,” McGurk said. “I give extremely high marks to this national security team and President Trump for managing this crisis and getting where we are.”
In other words, "Good job, Mr. President."
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