But there’s a catch: Representatives of the four living former US presidents (Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush) have all denied being contacted recently by Trump on the subject. A spokesperson for Bill Clinton told Newsweek that the 42nd president had not spoken to Trump about Iran. Aides to Bush, Obama and Biden confirmed to CNN that no conversation about the conflict had taken place.
Who is this “mystery president”?
Asked about the identity of this “mystery president”, Trump kicked in so as not to “embarrass” him: “I don’t want to say. It would be very bad for his career, even if he doesn’t have a career.” However, he clarified that it was someone he liked and whom he considered “intelligent”.
Journalist Peter Doocy from Fox Newsinsisted in the Oval Office: “Was it George W. Bush?”“Non”Trump responded. “Was it Bill Clinton?”“I don’t want to say. I think you probably know that.”
DOOCY: You said twice today you talked to a former about the Iran strikes. Was it George W Bush?
TRUMP: No
DOOCY: Was it Bill Clinton?
TRUMP: I don’t want to say. I think you probably know. pic.twitter.com/w1JJUiaJbH
—Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 16, 2026
This declaration revives the suspense around his relations with his predecessors. Donald Trump is particularly critical of Biden and Obama. He calls the first “the worst president in the history” of the United States and accuses the second of having negotiated a “horrible agreement” with Iran. But his tone changes radically when he mentions Clinton: “I loved Bill Clinton. I still love him. I liked his behavior towards me. I think he understood me.”he confided to NBC News on February 4.
Drama at Frankfurt airport: at least two people killed by gunfire, perpetrator still on the run
Iran, delicate terrain
Historically, American presidents have avoided any direct attack on Iran. Clinton favored sanctions and diplomatic isolation, Bush denounced the country as part of the “axis of evil” without striking, Obama focused on diplomacy with the 2015 nuclear agreement, and Biden limited his actions to targeted strikes against militias supported by Tehran.
Donald Trump, for his part, presents himself as the only one to have dared to act concretely against the country: “In 47 years, no president has been willing to do what I’m doing, and they should have done it a long time ago.”
At this point, the White House has not responded to the former presidents’ denials, leaving the mystery lingering: who is this former president that Trump claims to have consulted? And above all, did this conversation really exist?
