Chapter 3: The charismatic messiah:

EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING!— Donald Trump demands in a post on Truth Social that oil prices stay low.

Israel, do not drop those bombs.

— Donald Trump speaking to reporters before leaving for the NATO summit in The Hague.

This summit is about the Euro-Atlantic area, making sure that we can defend ourselves against the Russians -- the really fast-reconstituting Russians.

— Mark Rutte, speaking to reporters on Monday.

It’ll be something. The Great American State Fair will showcase the glory of every state in the union, promote pride in our history and put forth innovative visions for America’s future.— Donald Trump, in a video statement published on May 31, 2023.

We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the f*** they're doing.— President Trump said this to reporters as he left the White House.

It would be inappropriate for us to comment on the policy of tariffs. We don’t have a view. It’s not our job and we just wouldn’t do that.— Jerome Powell during his testimony before Congress regarding monetary policy.

The Pakistani government should be ashamed of this ill-conceived move. It should now have the decency to revoke that decision.

— Maleeha Lodhi, the former Pakistan ambassador to the United States, spoke out upon learning of the U.S. strikes.

Critical thinking and having my own opinions is the most American thing ever.

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene expresses her stance on supporting Trump while disagreeing on foreign policy.

Our entire house was destroyed -- there's nothing left.— Aviad Chernichovsky, who had rushed out of his home to get to a shelter.

Well, they know Iran very well, better than most, and they are not happy about anything.

— Donald Trump during a meeting with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir regarding the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

They would use it if they could.

— Donald Trump justifies attacks on Iran with nuclear hypotheticals in a post on Truth Social.

We are not at war with Iran, we are at war with Iran’s nuclear program… We destroyed that uranium, and we did it without endangering the American pilots.— Vice President JD Vance during an interview with NBC News.

Mister Trump, the player, you may start this war, but we will end it.

— A spokesperson for the Iranian Army Central Command, responding to the US attacks.

The restoration is indeed labor-intensive.

— Christian Volken, media spokesperson for the municipality of Horw, describes the challenges of restoring the mural.

The Committee seeks information to ensure accurate information was provided to the American people and your health reports were not subject to any improper influence.

— James Comer, Chair of the House Oversight Committee, in a letter to Kevin O'Connor.

I welcome the US engagement that made this possible and share the joy of families reunited. But all political prisoners in Belarus must be freed.

— Kaja Kallas, EU diplomatic chief, commented on the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski.