‘Their air force is gone.’ Trump swaggers on Iran war in Kentucky rally
President Donald Trump began his stop in Hebron Wednesday with a focus on his message on affordability heading into this year’s midterm elections, the war in Iran and Kentucky’s loyalty to him.
The start of Trump’s speech was focused more on the economy, current affairs and the state of Kentucky.
“Thank you, and a very special hello, Kentucky. I love Kentucky. Won in a landslide — we have the all-time record. But it’s great to be back in this beautiful commonwealth with so many proud, hard-working, unbelievable American patriots,” Trump began his speech.
Trump won Kentucky in his 2024 electoral win by roughly 31.5 points. That’s second only to failed Democratic candidate Horatio Seymour’s 49-point victory in the state in 1868.
Trump won Kentucky by roughly 30 points in 2016 and by 26 points in 2020, when he lost the presidency to Joe Biden.
His speech took place at a facility owned by Verst Logistics Group near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
The president touched briefly on the conflict in Iran, where the U.S. has killed several Iranian leaders and targeted military installations in conjunction with longtime ally Israel. He framed the U.S. action there as a success.
“They don’t know what the hell hit them, right?” Trump asked.
In his remarks on Iran, the president did not mention any of the American soldiers killed or wounded in the conflict. Seven troops have been killed and well over 100 have been wounded as of Wednesday.
Among the dead is Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, of Glendale, Kentucky. The 26-year-old was injured in an attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1 and died a week later, according to the Department of Defense. Pennington was assigned to 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, which is based in Colorado.
Trump did not mention Pennington in his speech.
Vice President JD Vance, who has family ties to Kentucky, was present when Pennington’s body was returned to U.S. soil in dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force base in Delaware Monday.
The president praised the military’s action so far in the operation, which he dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
“Their air force is gone — totally gone. That took the better part of about three hours. They no longer have radar. They don’t have anti-aircraft equipment. They don’t have anything. Their missiles are down 90%, their drones are down 85%. We’re blowing up the factories where they’re made left and right,” Trump said.
The president spoke frequently about the perceived failings of Democrats, and the alleged successes of his various proposals.
“A short time ago under Biden and his allies in Congress, we had a dead — we were dead as a doornail. We were a dead country,” Trump said.
In an appeal to conservative Kentuckians, Trump also touted “clean, beautiful coal,” formerly a key source of jobs in the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky.
This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 5:27 PM.
