Market Gains Based on Grand Delusions Are Difficult to Sustain; U.S. Facing End of Empire Events as Talks with Iran are Proven False

It has become painfully obvious that President Trump will do, say, or tweet just about anything in order to get what he wants, be it money, oil, control, or power. Monday's assertion that talks with Iran had taken place over the weekend were absolutely false, his prevarication confirmed by Iranian officials who for weeks have been unwavering in their commitment to not engage in negotiations with the United States.

One can only guess what machinations are entertained by delusional megalomaniacs such as the current White House resident, but assuredly they are not likely consistent with the wishes of the American public, most of whom appear to have no stomach for military engagements and desire little more than peace and price relief in their daily routines.

Sadly, the American public is close to the bottom of the totem pole in terms of Trump's exceptional alternate reality, so cheaper gas or discounts on food staples are going to be temporary at best and unachievable long term, at worst.

What is apparent is Trump's lust for power. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the president suggested that shared control over the Strait of Hormuz with "the Ayatollah" has become an objective and the military may be employed to achieve that particular far-fetched goal. It's a fantasy only a crooked, self-absorbed individual could dream up, given that Iran has all but neutralized American bases in the region and holds a vastly superior geographical advantage over the region. The Strait of Hormuz borders Iran, and they appear to be reluctant to share dominance over the waterway with the United States or anybody else.

Of course, Trump could be bluffing or boasting, but there's a very real chance that he and the broan trust at the Pentagon have spun up some kind of military solution that would assure America's right to play policeman or toll operator in the Persian Gulf.

This is the sordid reality that the world must confront as the regional conflict slogs through its fourth week.

In economic terms, continued military operations in the Middle East are challenging to the declining Western nations. The United States has been badly damaged, even as Iran and Israel have taken the brunt of the missile strikes and random bombings. America's interests have been mostly confined to its military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, so the financial fallout has been somewhat shielded from the general public and U.S. markets.

The bills are coming due, however. The United States cannot continue operating on a wartime footing with a dysfunctional government that is approaching $40 trillion in debt. The rest of the world sees through the financial escapades playing out with money created out of thin air attempting to maintain a hegemony that's been shattered. Should the United States and its main ally, Israel, achieve the objective of dominating trade in the region, they will be tasked with maintaining that control, so it is likely that any gains made will be fleeting, unsure, and subject to overthrow.

What the United States and Israel are demonstrating in plain view is the last gasps of empire. The aims of the two countries are not realistic and will continue to cause real pain for all involved until they are neutralized and sent packing.

Time is running short on the aggressors and the response from markets in the U.S. and Europe are unlikely to be long-lasting. The evidence is already being seen in stock futures Tuesday morning, which are dropping like rocks. A half hour before the opening bell, Dow futures are down 275 points, NASDAQ futures are off 176, and S&P futures have tumbled 35 points.

Trump and his cronies certainly made some serious scratch on Monday. Now they'll make more as market re-adjust.

At the Close, Monday, March 23, 2026:
Dow: 46,208.47, +631.00 (+1.38%)
NASDAQ: 21,946.76, +299.15 (+1.38%)
S&P 500: 6,581.00, +74.52 (+1.15%)
NYSE Composite: 21,910.77, +294.04 (+1.36%)