CNN host delivers fact-check on Trump's 'regime change' in Iran

Abby Phillip pushes back on conservative commentator's claim that Trump wasn't calling for regime change

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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CNN host Abby Phillip delivered a brutal fact-check on Thursday over President Donald Trump's comments about playing a role in picking Iran's next leader. Phillip argued that the Trump administration has not just said they want regime change in Iran, but have carried out operations to kill the country's top military and political leaders, including some potential replacements for the Ayatollah.

Why it matters

Trump's comments about regime change in Iran and the administration's actions to target the country's leadership raise concerns about the U.S. potentially pursuing an aggressive policy of forced leadership change in Iran, which could have major geopolitical and humanitarian consequences.

The details

In an exclusive interview with Axios, Trump claimed he should play a role in picking Iran's next leader. This follows the administration's stated goal of creating conditions for the Iranian people to rise up and take over their government. On Saturday, U.S. and Israeli forces coordinated bombing strikes across more than 100 sites in Iran, killing many of the country's top military and political leaders, including some people Trump was considering to replace the Ayatollah.

  • On Thursday, Trump gave an exclusive interview to Axios where he made comments about playing a role in picking Iran's next leader.
  • On Saturday, U.S. and Israeli forces carried out bombing strikes across Iran, killing many of the country's top leaders.

The players

Abby Phillip

A CNN host who delivered a fact-check on Trump's comments about regime change in Iran.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who claimed he should play a role in picking Iran's next leader.

Jason Rantz

A conservative radio news show host who argued on CNN that Trump was not "directly calling for" regime change in Iran.

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What they’re saying

“Let's be honest!”

— Abby Phillip, CNN host (CNN)

“The administration has not just said they want regime change, they've actually carried out an operation that has killed the Ayatollah.”

— Abby Phillip, CNN host (CNN)

What’s next

The Biden administration will likely face increased pressure to clarify its Iran policy and respond to the Trump administration's actions.

The takeaway

Trump's comments and the administration's actions raise serious concerns about the potential for the U.S. to pursue an aggressive and destabilizing policy of forced regime change in Iran, which could have major geopolitical and humanitarian consequences.