Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) stated on the "Ruthless Podcast" that President Donald Trump is on track to complete his military objectives in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Hagerty, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan during Trump's first term, drew a parallel between the current Middle East situation and President Harry Truman’s decision to fire General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War.

"I think about Douglas MacArthur in Japan," Hagerty said in the exclusive interview released Tuesday morning, July 21, 2026. "I was fortunate to live in the same residence he occupied for six years when he was stationed there. I often wonder what would have happened if Truman had not fired him, if MacArthur had been allowed to finish the damn job. We wouldn't be dealing with a lot of the stuff that we're dealing with out there right now. And President Trump is going to finish that damn job."

Hagerty also recalled the Sunday morning after President Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania, emphasizing the significance of Trump's survival. Co-host Josh Holmes shared Hagerty’s concerns about Iran potentially acquiring a nuclear weapon and expressed gratification that Trump chose not to leave the conflict resolution to a future administration, saying, "he's the first president who decided ‘I'm not gonna leave this to another administration.’"

Additionally, Hagerty commented on the political landscape, stating that Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is positioned to declare himself the leader of the Democrat Party. Hagerty is seeking his first re-election after winning an open Senate seat in 2020.

Sources