Trump Keeps War with Venezuela on the Table While Promising New Military Dividend

In a recent phone interview with NBC News, President Donald Trump openly acknowledged that a conflict with Venezuela remains a possibility.

War with Venezuela: A Reality Check

During the interview, Trump said, “I don’t rule it out, no.” He added that the administration has intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by ordering a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers that come in and out of the country. The U.S. has also seized an oil tanker that was captured near Venezuela.

The campaign has already led to 28 boat strikes, which have killed more than 100 people. One of those strikes, described as a “double tap,” is now under congressional scrutiny. When asked if he would discuss the possibility of war, Trump replied, “I don’t discuss it.” However, when pressed, he confirmed that war is a possibility and that additional seizures of oil tankers are planned.

“It depends. If they’re foolish enough to be sailing along, they’ll be sailing along back into one of our harbors,” Trump said, hinting at a potential escalation. He declined to say whether ousting Maduro is his ultimate goal, but emphasized that Maduro “knows exactly what I want,” adding, “He knows better than anybody.”

Trump’s admission that he is not ruling out a war is significant, especially given his 2024 campaign promise to keep the United States out of foreign conflicts. “I’m not going to start a war; I’m going to stop wars,” he reiterated in his post‑election speech.

Economic Moves: The Warrior Dividend and Tariffs

On Wednesday, Trump defended his economic agenda during a national prime‑time address. He announced a $1,776 “warrior dividend” that will be paid to nearly 1.5 million members of the military in honor of the nation’s founding almost 250 years ago.

“People will start getting the payments very soon—within the next few days, it’ll all be out,” Trump told NBC News. He said the dividend would be funded through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and revenue from tariffs. “We’re making so much money with tariffs that we are able to do that and have plenty left over,” he added.

A senior administration official explained that the one‑time bonus will cost about $2.6 billion and will be paid drawing from military housing funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill. The legislation, signed in July, allocated $2.9 billion to reduce the out‑of‑pocket cost for service members for two years.

A Senate appropriations source confirmed that the money will come from that bill, not tariffs, and that the Defense Department decided to give the money as a one‑time payment instead of creating a precedent for housing costs down the line.

Health Care: A New Vision for Insurance

Trump also addressed health care, criticizing large insurance companies. “I’m blasting gigantic health insurance companies that have gotten rich on billions of dollars of money that should go directly to the people,” he said.

He urged people to buy their own health insurance, claiming it would provide far better benefits at much lower cost. “Millions of people who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act are set to see their health insurance premiums skyrocket next year,” Trump warned, after House Republicans refused to call a vote to extend subsidies.

He stated that he does not believe it is necessary to repeal the Affordable Care Act, noting that it would “repeal itself automatically because nobody’s going to want to use it. Too expensive.” He also said he has no plans to announce a broader health care plan.

“As far as I’m concerned, I rolled it out last night,” he said. “It’s very simple. It’s a very simple plan. The insurance companies have become totally rich and beyond any comprehension. They get billions and billions of dollars a year, and we’re not going to let that happen.”

Trump said he would pay the money directly to the people and that they could use health‑care accounts. “They’ll get much better health care at a much lower price,” he added.

Political Outlook: Midterm Elections

Looking ahead to the November midterm elections, Trump was asked whether Republicans will hold on to both chambers of Congress. “I think so. I certainly hope so,” he replied.

The article was contributed by Courtney Kube, Gordon Lubold and Frank Thorp V.

Key Takeaways

• Trump admits that a war with Venezuela remains a possibility and has intensified sanctions.
• The administration has carried out 28 boat strikes, killing over 100 people.
• A $1,776 warrior dividend will be paid to 1.5 million service members, funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill and tariff revenue.
• Trump criticizes large insurers and proposes people buy their own insurance, claiming lower costs.
• Republicans hope to retain both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterms.

The president’s remarks underscore a blend of hard‑line foreign policy, domestic economic initiatives, and a controversial approach to health care, all set against the backdrop of the looming midterm elections.