President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet at Camp David on Friday, turning to the secluded Maryland retreat for a meeting dominated by foreign policy as his administration looks for a way to end the war with Iran.

The gathering was his 13th Cabinet meeting of his second term and only his third trip to Camp David since returning to office, underscoring how rarely he uses the site compared with past presidents.

The war has become a domestic political problem as well, with rising gasoline prices feeding economic anxiety and adding pressure on Republicans heading into November’s midterm elections.

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The Cabinet assembles

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters last week that the session would be “the 13th Cabinet meeting of Trump’s second term” and called it “a lot of fun and something different for the cabinet to experience together.”

The format was typical of Trump’s Cabinet sessions, which often run well over an hour as department heads deliver updates and offer public praise for the president.

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(Representative image) Trump at Camp David | AI

After the meeting, Trump was scheduled to head to his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club for the weekend, reflecting a pattern in which he frequently returns to his own properties rather than spending extended time at Camp David.

The bill, alas, comes due

The backdrop to the meeting was a conflict that is now in its fifth month, far longer than the few weeks Trump initially projected it would last.

The war has involved repeated strikes between the United States and Iran, driving gasoline prices sharply higher and eroding public support.

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(Representative image) Trump at Camp David | AI

A Reuters-Ipsos poll this week found that only one in three Americans backs the war, the weakest reading since the early days of the conflict.

For Republicans, the domestic fallout is especially sensitive. Higher fuel costs and broader economic strain are feeding unease among voters at a time when control of Congress will be on the line in November.

The diplomatic teacups remain unsettled

Trump also struck a defiant tone during the meeting. He said, “Well, I think we just want to win, you know, we just want to win,” and added that he was losing faith in Tehran’s willingness to negotiate because “they do lie and they do misrepresent.”

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(Representative image) Camp David | AI

The exchange came after Iran launched a drone attack on American military assets at a Kuwait air base and claimed it had struck two tankers with US air escorts in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim disputed by US Central Command.

Kuwait’s defense ministry said there were no casualties, only material damage from shrapnel.

The meeting ended with no public indication that Trump had settled on a path to de-escalation, leaving the conflict and its political costs still unresolved.

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FAQs

Q1: Why did Donald Trump hold a Cabinet meeting at Camp David?

Trump convened his Cabinet at Camp David to discuss the ongoing Iran war, national security issues and their economic and political impact.

Q2: How has the Iran war affected the United States?

The prolonged conflict has contributed to higher gasoline prices and increased political pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections.