I Wish I Could Believe Trump When He Says There Will Be Hell to Pay if Hamas Doesn't Release The Hostages

President-elect Trump made headlines earlier this week when he said "there would be hell to pay" if Hamas did not release all remaining hostages by the time he takes office on January 20, 2025. Trump wrote on Truth Social:

Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk and no action!

Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.

Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!

I wish I could believe him.

But given Trump's lack of fidelity to the truth he is not entitled to the benefit of the doubt. 

I remember the Trump, who in the hours after the October 7th attacks, saw fit to attack Israel's leaders instead of condemning Hamas much less of offering words of comfort to the families of the hostages. 

When Trump speaks of hostages, he usually means those who were held responsible for attacking the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. 

Should Hamas see fit to release all hostages by January 20, 2025, then Trump will make it about how great he is rather than about innocent people who have been freed from captivity. 

Of course, if Hamas doesn't release all hostages by then Trump there will be hell to pay. But what does this mean? I think Trump is all talk when it comes to the hostages being held by Hamas. After all, Trump thought the hostages were all dead until Israeli President Isaac Herzog wised him up. 

Don't get me wrong. I'll be more than happy if Hamas releases the hostages any time before January 20, 2025. I'll also be happy if Trump backs up his words with deeds should Hamas fail to release the hostages by the time he assumes office once more. I just wouldn't count on it.