Trump denies Iran is getting military help from Russia and China, despite worries from 'morons and lunatics'

Read the original at Daily Mail ↗
Daily Mail · collected 2026-10-13 · by Stephen M. Lepore

Quick Summary

Donald Trump dismissed critics as "Radical Left Morons and Lunatics" for opposing his deal to purchase Russian diesel fuel. He claimed Russia is not providing significant military support to Iran, stating that any assistance would be minimal due to the risks involved. On social media, Trump announced a substantial agreement with Vladimir Putin for over one million tons of diesel supplies from Russia, despite bipartisan criticism and concerns about aiding Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-13, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

AI analysis runs on qwen2.5:14b, locally

Story summary

On October 12, US President Donald Trump dismissed claims that China and Russia are aiding Iran, asserting he does not believe they are helping Iran at all. In posts on Truth Social, Trump argued that China and Russia have "too much to lose" if they were involved with Tehran, adding the US would quickly become aware of such involvement. This assertion came amid ongoing conflicts between the United States and Iran since February 28, when US and Israeli strikes hit Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran on Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases. Trump has previously maintained that both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin remain neutral in these hostilities.

Written for “Iran Russia China Relations” on 2026-10-13, grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted verbatim and was checked against the article text before being stored, so you can find it in the original.
Reading Leans right (beta estimate) Confidence high
Leaning: leans right for article 75781 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-10-13

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
33
claim-shaped sentences
Uncertain
18%
6 of 33 hedged
Leaning
Leans right
of the writing, not the subject · beta estimate
Correction & hedging signals
64.2
corrections and hedging in what we collected; not a measure of accuracy
Outlets on this story
3
Politics
Narrative spread
1
articles carrying this framing
Analyzed 2026-10-13 · how these are computed

Story

📰 Iran Russia China Relations
Politics · 3 article(s) covering the same event. See how they differ ↓

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Compared with similar articles

This article reads leans right and hedges 18% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
The Hindu · 0.87 cosine similarity
⚖️ Leans right 🔴 25% hedged 4 of 16 📰 publisher trust 94
“Both articles report on Trump's denial that Russia and China are aiding Iran, using similar language and dismissing critics in a similar manner.”
The Straits Times · 0.86 cosine similarity
⚖️ Leans right 🔴 7% hedged 1 of 15 📰 publisher trust 59
“Both articles discuss Trump's denial of China and Russia helping Iran, referencing the same time frame and context.”
Al Jazeera
⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 6% hedged 1 of 17 📰 publisher trust 60
“Article A reports Putin's pledge of support for Iran against US-led actions, while Article B discusses Trump denying Russia is helping Iran and criticizes a diesel deal with Russia.”
Al Jazeera
⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 2 📰 publisher trust 60
“The articles discuss different aspects and timeframes related to Trump's diesel deal, but do not describe the same specific incident or occurrence.”
Al Jazeera
⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 2 📰 publisher trust 60
“The articles cover different aspects and times regarding US-Russia relations concerning Iran, with Article A focusing on a statement about Russia's involvement in Iran settlements and Article B on Trump denying Russian military help to Iran.”
Euronews
⚖️ Leans right 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 10 📰 publisher trust 60
“While both articles discuss Trump's decision regarding Russian diesel imports, they describe different aspects and timing related to the announcement and its criticism.”
Daily Mail
⚖️ Leans strongly right further right than this 🔴 14% hedged 4 of 29 📰 publisher trust 64
“The articles discuss different aspects and reactions related to Trump's diesel deal, but describe distinct events occurring on separate days.”
CBC News
⚖️ Leans right 🔴 14% hedged 2 of 14 📰 publisher trust 77
“The articles cover different aspects related to Trump's decision, with Article A focusing on the announcement and deal itself, while Article B discusses criticisms and implications of the decision.”
Times of India
⚖️ Leans left further left than this 🔴 16% hedged 6 of 38 📰 publisher trust 59
“The articles discuss different aspects of Trump's decision regarding Russian diesel, but describe separate incidents and reactions over time.”
Al Jazeera
⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 14% hedged 9 of 66 📰 publisher trust 60
“Article A discusses Trump's deal for Russian diesel to ease high fuel costs, while Article B addresses Trump denying help to Iran from Russia and China despite criticism over the diesel deal.”

Publisher

Daily Mail · 5143 article(s) · 14 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 14 correction(s)
2026-10-13
Sam Wood is moved to Queensland's most feared prison: 'Pretty boy' Bachelor's brutal new reality with 'the worst of the worst'
2026-10-08
Russian plague victim's grieving mother denies scientist daughter was infected after breaking test tube - as PPE-clad team disinfect her home
2026-10-04
Prison chief stands down over botched execution
2026-10-03
Tennessee prison chief who oversaw botched execution of Christa Pike resigns, governor announces
2026-09-25
Twisted teacher who started school FIGHT CLUB and encouraged children to attack each other is given shockingly lenient punishment
2026-09-22
Melbourne inmate vanished without trace while carrying his brother's coffin 150 days ago - and cops are still hunting him
2026-09-21
Magistrate blasts Melbourne marketing mum Christina Georgiou over 'despicable' $50,000 fraud: How a master's graduate with a drug debt ended up rorting Covid and flood relief schemes
2026-09-18
Female corrections officer fired and arrested over claims she sneaked her home cooked meals into jail to give to inmates
2026-09-18
Woke NYC mayor offers condolences after alleged murderer, 20, dies in custody... but makes NO mention of his disabled victim
2026-09-15
Infamous prisoner known for his 'stop snitching' slogan DISAPPEARS during transfer from one federal prison to another
2026-09-15
Charles Manson's 'right-hand man' dies in prison at 83 after his parole was blocked 8 times
2026-09-15
Jeffrey Epstein's suicide watch 'companion' insists paedophile financier DID kill himself after becoming 'defeated' in his final days
2026-09-07
The evidence Epstein did NOT kill himself: Lawyer and pathologist reveal details they claim indicate the paedophile WAS murdered in jail in new documentary
2026-09-06
Clarifications and corrections

Who wrote this

Stephen M. Lepore
51 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
🔮 They have too much to lose, and we would know about it, and know about it very fast!'
🔮 A wealthy biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate, Ramaswamy's star appeal among conservatives led to quick backing by Ohio Republicans and hopes of an easy victory in the Republican-dominated state. 'I'm so grateful to this state and to this country for giving a kid like me opportunities that would not have been available to my family in any other country on planet earth,' Ramaswamy said at the rally ahead of Trump's arrival, as he underscored the American dream for his Indian immigrant family.
🔮 Trump called the Nobel committee 'a handful of radical ideologues who are anti-democracy and, really, enemies of civilization.' He added to Norway, where the committee is located: 'We will not forget.'
🔮 - Sign up HERE to our DC Insider newsletter - your guide to what's rocking Washington, rattling the White House and setting tongues wagging on the Hill Erika Kirk is working on a collection of memorabilia from her husband Charlie's life and work that could potentially be housed in a presidential library-style museum. Charlie Kirk was assassinated while in the middle of a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. While Erika, 37, was giving Fox News a tour of Charlie keepsakes at Turning Point USA's Arizona headquarters, she was asked if something resembling a presidential library could be used to show off all of the memories of Charlie's life and work.
🔮 - Sign up HERE to our DC Insider newsletter - your guide to what's rocking Washington, rattling the White House and setting tongues wagging on the Hill Donald Trump's envoys for Ukraine, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will meet representatives from Kyiv in Miami Friday and try to forge a unified peace proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the talks after a day in which a Russian strike on buses in the frontline city of Kramatorsk killed 30 people, one of the deadliest attacks in weeks.
🔮 - Sign up HERE to our DC Insider newsletter - your guide to what's rocking Washington, rattling the White House and setting tongues wagging on the Hill Speaker of the House Mike Johnson joked that he may head home for Louisiana and move to a completely different line of work if the Republican Party loses the midterm elections.
🔮 'There was a certain point when I never thought I would come off.'
🔮 President Donald Trump has said he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a possible plague outbreak in the country Russian officials have claimed Darya Shipilova, 28, died from an 'unidentified pneumonia' In the US, the CDC says that about seven cases of the plague are recorded every year, mostly in northern New Mexico and Arizona.
🔮 - Sign up HERE for the DC Insider Newsletter- our guide to what's rocking Washington, rattling the White House and setting tongues wagging on the Hill Donald Trump is considering a powerful strike on Iran to try and show American strength ahead of crucial midterm elections that may be defined by the war efforts.
Also by Stephen M. Lepore
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 51 articles by Stephen M. Lepore →

Topics

Iran Moscow Russia Russian Washington

Subjects

Russia GPE · 13× Trump PERSON · 10× Ukraine GPE · 5× Putin PERSON · 4× Russian NORP · 4× Vladimir Putin PERSON · 4× American NORP · 3× Iran GPE · 3× Donald Trump PERSON · 2× Washington GPE · 2×

Narrative

Donald Trump lashed out at his critics as 'Radical Left Morons and Lunatics' for criticizing his decision to buy Russian diesel from Vladimir Putin Trump said on social media on Friday that he struck the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call in which he was expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia Trump's shocking announcement was in stark contrast to a sweeping Russia sanctions law he signed last month that aimed at clamping down on the oil and gas revenues that fuel Russia's war against Ukraine.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-13
🔮 They have too much to lose, and we would know about it, and know about it very fast!'

Claims (33 extracted, 6 hedged)

- Sign up HERE for our DC Insider newsletter - your guide to what's rocking Washington, rattling the White House and setting tongues wagging on the Hill Donald Trump called his critics 'Radical Left Morons and Lunatics' for criticizing his decision to buy Russian diesel from Vladimir Putin and denied Moscow was helping Iran. asserted
Moscow → sign → Iran
Trump's diesel deal has been blasted by both Republicans and Democrats for helping Russia's war against Ukraine, violating existing laws and drawing the US closer to Russia. asserted
deal → blast → Russia
They've also suggested that Russia is on the side of enemies like Iran with their war efforts against the United States, something the President scoffed at his critics for suggesting in a post to Truth Social on Monday night. ' uncertain
President → suggest → night
I see so many comments from the Radical Left Morons and Lunatics that China and Russia are helping the 'wonderful' Islamic Republic of Iran,' he wrote. asserted
he → see → Iran
'If they are, it's at a very low level, but I don't believe they are at all. asserted
they → believe → level
They have too much to lose, and we would know about it, and know about it very fast!' asserted
we → have → it
Trump said on social media on Friday that he struck the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call in which he was expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia. Instead, Trump announced that Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons 'immediately thereafter. asserted
Russia → say → November
' Russia will deliver an additional three million tons 'within a short period of time' after that, he wrote. asserted
he → deliver → that
Donald Trump lashed out at his critics as 'Radical Left Morons and Lunatics' for criticizing his decision to buy Russian diesel from Vladimir Putin Trump said on social media on Friday that he struck the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call in which he was expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia Trump's shocking announcement was in stark contrast to a sweeping Russia sanctions law he signed last month that aimed at clamping down on the oil and gas revenues that fuel Russia's war against Ukraine. asserted
that → lash → Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it 'a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners,' according to a statement released by the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington. uncertain
Zelenskyy → call → Washington
However, Trump has also faced heavy criticism at home, even from his own party. asserted
Trump → face → party
Outgoing North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis warned that Putin cannot be trusted, pointing to Russia's ties with Iran and reports that Moscow has provided intelligence on the location of US forces. 'And I will guarantee you at the first opportunity Putin has to embarrass or undermine President Trump, he will,' said the senator. asserted
senator → warn → Trump
When asked whether the deal was putting American lives at risk, Tillis responded: 'It absolutely will. asserted
It → ask → risk
'These are bad people hanging out with bad people, putting American lives at risk, particularly our Special Operators and people forward deployed,' he added. asserted
he → hang → risk
The senator urged US intelligence officials to warn Trump about the dangers of trusting Putin. asserted
senator → urge → Putin
Trump has also faced criticism for saying Ukraine should replace President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) 'Look, this guy has a murderous rap sheet. asserted
guy → face → sheet
He cannot be trusted,' he added. asserted
he → trust → ?
The Republican also blasted Trump for suggesting Ukraine should find a new leader: asserted
Ukraine → blast → leader
'The president needs to realize that tens of thousands of people have died over this illegal invasion, and I get it that he may be frustrated.’ uncertain
he → need → it
'But he needs to understand who the good guys are in this disagreement and who the bad guys are, and it's not even close.' asserted
it → need → disagreement
The senator also questioned if Trump may have broken the law by lifting sanctions on Russia. uncertain
Trump → question → Russia
Earlier Monday, Fox & Friends anchor Brian Kilmeade said Trump was making a fatal mistake with the deal. asserted
Trump → say → deal
Kilmeade accused Putin of being responsible for the bloodshed in Ukraine, fiercely defended Kyiv's military campaign and warned that American money flowing into Russia would benefit the very country that started the war. asserted
that → accuse → war
'They're the bad guys,' Kilmeade declared during the heated exchange. asserted
Kilmeade → declare → exchange
He went even further, comparing the Russian leader to Adolf Hitler and warned that closer cooperation between Washington and Moscow could have devastating consequences. uncertain
cooperation → go → consequences
Republican Senator Thom Tillis slammed Trump during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday, after the president lifted sanctions on Russia Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, 62, delivered a blistering attack on Trump's willingness to work with Russia, warning it could become the biggest mistake of his presidency 'It would be the biggest mistake of his administration to work with Russia,' Kilmeade said. uncertain
Kilmeade → slam → Russia
Trump's move followed mounting pressure on global energy supplies as the conflict involving Iran sent fuel prices soaring, creating a political headache for Republicans ahead of next month's midterm elections. asserted
conflict → follow → elections
European allies, including Britain, France and Germany, expressed support for efforts to halt attacks on energy infrastructure while maintaining their backing for Ukraine. But Trump's separate decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel attracted fierce criticism. asserted
decision → include → criticism
Seven American senators, including four Republicans, issued a statement condemning the arrangement as illegal. asserted
senators → include → arrangement
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also attacked the move, saying it was 'in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe.' asserted
it → attack → Europe
Zelensky branded the diesel arrangement a 'weak decision' and rejected Trump's suggestion that Ukraine needed a change of leadership. asserted
Ukraine → brand → leadership
'It's up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,' he told ABC News. asserted
he → choose → News
The Ukrainian president argued that the real source of rising energy prices was the Middle East war and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. asserted
source → argue → Hormuz
💬Give feedback
🕘History 🎫Support