Trump compares Iran to Pearl Harbor — to Japan's Prime Minister
By Ck Smith
Published on March 21, 2026.
A comment by President Donald Trump comparing Iran to Pearl Harbor has sparked backlash, with late night shows including MSNBC's Morning Joe and The Daily Show. The use of such an analogy could potentially blur the distinction between past and present. This incident also highlights the shifting administration's approach to framing the Iran-Syria conflict.