ICYMI: Kelly Blasts Trump Admin for Caring More About Appearances Than Accountability as New Images Emerge of Iran War Damage

"We have 18 dead Americans. We have 700 injured. For what? For higher gas prices and diesel prices for farmers and gas prices for the American people."

In case you missed it, on MS NOW's The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly blasted President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for caring more about how things look than what is actually happening in the Iran war as new images emerged of drone and missile attack damage to U.S. positions. He also criticized Trump's dismissal of the cost of the war while leaving the American people to foot the bill for a conflict he started with no plan or end in sight.

Sen. Kelly talks on The Briefing with Jen Psaki.

Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below:

On Trump dismissing the impact of the Iran war on servicemembers…

"This president calls this 'small potatoes.' I mean, here's a guy, here's a president who spent most of his adult life sitting on a gold toilet. Of course this is not a big deal to him. This is somebody else's kid, not his children, going off to fight. He's a president who avoided service himself. Made up a story about bone spurs. But those bone spurs don't prevent him from golfing every weekend at the age of 80."

On Hegseth and Trump caring more about appearances than doing what's expected of them…

"What you don't expect is having the lack of leadership in the Pentagon that would, under normal circumstances, own up to what the situation is and what is happening on the ground, would brief the press, would brief members of Congress who have oversight responsibility, would let us know what is actually happening, would let the American public know. They like nice imagery. They like when things look good. If something doesn't look good, they're going to try to convince you that it's something else. They're going to suppress it. They certainly didn't want these images to get out, but it's dangerous to be there. Servicemembers are at risk."

On the real cost of Trump's war for the American people…

"We have 18 dead Americans. We have 700 injured. For what? For higher gas prices and diesel prices for farmers and gas prices for the American people. And the cost of food is going up. Americans can't afford their lives. Millions kicked off a health care snap. Benefits gone for so many children because as president wanted to give a big giant tax cut to his wealthy friends."

On Trump saying high gas prices will go down like a "a rocket ship in reverse" …

"Well, a rocket ship in reverse is a catastrophe. It is a catastrophic mishap. It's a crash. He obviously didn't mean that. He doesn't really care. When you're as wealthy as Donald Trump, especially now, after 600 days or so in office, this time around, he's billions of dollars richer, the price of gas goes up. Doesn't affect his family members, doesn't affect any of his friends. If it goes from costing you $140 to fill up your tank when it used to be $80, that's not a big deal to any of the people around him. You know it's who's a big deal to? The rest of America. Hardworking people that are just trying to get by and can't afford rent now… That has a fundamental and significant impact in their lives when that happens."