President Donald Trump said there are “no limits” to his power as commander in chief during a wide-ranging interview with Axios, framing the recent conflict with Iran as a decisive demonstration of American military strength and defending his decision to stop short of a longer bombing campaign.
Asked by Axios reporter Marc Caputo what he had learned about “the limits on your power” during the Iran conflict, Trump replied: “There are no limits.”
“No, none,” Trump said. “I haven’t learned that lesson yet. I know there are, but there are no limits. We defeated them totally militarily.”
The comments came during an interview on “The Axios Show” in which Trump described his second administration as more powerful than his first and argued that experience had made him more effective in office. Trump said the recent G7 summit showed the difference.
“I feel it’s a more powerful administration right now,” Trump said.
🔋 EXCLUSIVE: On the next episode of The Axios Show, President Trump tells @marcacaputo that in the aftermath of the Iran war, there are “no limits” to his power. pic.twitter.com/QrNPh3wPX1
— Axios (@axios) June 18, 2026
Much of the interview focused on Iran, where Trump claimed the United States had destroyed Iran’s air force, navy, air defenses and key leadership, forcing Tehran into what he characterized as an effective surrender.
“Well, it really probably is unconditional surrender,” Trump said when pressed on whether the memorandum of understanding ending the conflict matched his earlier demand for unconditional surrender.
Trump contrasted his approach with former President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement with Iran, calling it “the Obama nuclear catastrophe” and saying Obama “didn’t hit their military” or “damage their navy or destroy their air force.”
“I destroyed the air force. I destroyed their anti-aircraft weapons,” Trump said. “That’s why we were flying over there totally unimpeded.”
Trump also defended his decision not to continue bombing Iran, saying further strikes could have closed the Strait of Hormuz, damaged global oil supplies and triggered broader economic consequences.
“If I went further, the stock market would be much lower,” Trump said. “I have one primary wish as president, in terms of people, I never want to be the late great Herbert Hoover. So this is the kind of thing that could cause a worldwide depression.”
The president said oil prices were falling, ships were moving through the region and markets were rising because the war appeared headed toward a deal.
“Would you rather have that or be like some stupid people?” Trump said, referring to unnamed hardliners who wanted him to keep attacking Iran. “I’ll be honest with you, I lost respect for some people.”
Trump also said he expected Congress to approve the Iran agreement, though he suggested he would not personally punish Republicans who opposed it.
“Oh, if they do, no. Yeah. Not from me,” Trump said when asked whether GOP opponents would pay a price.
Now, would you rather have that or be like some stupid people? I I I'd be honest [0:15] with you, I lost respect for some people because who'd you lose respect? [0:19] I don't I don't want to mention the names. Oh, you can't. [0:21] But but you know, hardliners. #trump #Iran pic.twitter.com/hLzjGSyBXz
— actualidadesemfiltro (@ASFiltro) June 20, 2026
The interview then turned to Cuba, where Trump suggested his administration could pursue an approach similar to its operation in Venezuela, though he did not set a firm timetable.
Asked whether there was “a countdown clock on Cuba,” Trump replied: “It’s a flexible line, but Marco is involved very much.”
Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents were from Cuba, and said the Cuban government “wants to talk very badly.” He said a potential Cuba operation could resemble Venezuela more than Iran because of geography.
“These places are close by,” Trump said. “Whereas if you look at Iran, that’s a very long trip. Venezuela is relatively close and Cuba is a hopscotch.”
Trump also described the Western Hemisphere as increasingly American in orientation and said the United States was “much more respected” under his leadership.
The president repeatedly returned to the theme that American military power, properly used, had restored U.S. leverage abroad.
“We have the most powerful military in the world by far,” Trump said.
