The Trump 'Make Iran Great Again' Hat: A Signal for Regime Change?

A familiar red hat is back, but the target has shifted from Washington to Tehran. President Donald Trump has signaled a sharp escalation in his stance toward Iran, brandishing a hat that repurposes his iconic slogan into a call for regime change.

Trump 'Make Iran Great Again' Hat 2026: Symbolism and Threats

Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, posted a photo on X on January 4, 2026, showing the President aboard Air Force One holding a signed cap inscribed with "Make Iran Great Again." The hat notably features the pre-1979 Iranian flag, a clear nod to the era before the Islamic Revolution.

Graham didn't mince words during a subsequent Fox News interview, wearing the same hat and praying that 2026 would be the year the US helps the Iranian people "stand up to tyranny." This visual propaganda arrives as the Trump administration intensifies its "maximum pressure" campaign to a new, more physical level.

Escalation Following the Venezuela Operation

The photo comes at a precarious moment. US forces recently abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a key ally of Tehran. This bold operation in Caracas has fueled speculation that Iran is next on the list. Trump warned that if Iranian security forces continue to kill protesters, they'll be "hit very hard" by the United States.

Last June, the US joined Israel in bombing three major Iranian nuclear sites. While a brief ceasefire followed an Iranian missile response in Doha, Trump has threatened to "knock the hell out of them" if there's any attempt to rebuild their nuclear or missile capabilities.

Tehran's Defiance Amid War Fears

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded defiantly, stating, "We will bring the enemy to its knees." Meanwhile, international observers are concerned about the humanitarian cost, recalling the hundreds of civilian casualties during the June strikes. The "Make Iran Great Again" slogan, while framed as advocacy for the people, is seen by many as a precursor to a large-scale military conflict.