Podcast Summary: Más de uno – Monólogo de Alsina: "Los espolones de Trump"

Host: Carlos Alsina
Date: March 18, 2026
Podcast: Onda Cero

Overview

In this episode, Carlos Alsina delivers a compelling, humor-tinged monologue reflecting on patterns in U.S. foreign military interventions—from the Cold War era to the contemporary war in Iran under Donald Trump. Alsina weaves personal anecdotes, historical parallels, and trenchant commentary to interrogate the motives, rhetoric, and consequences of American presidents’ decisions leading their nation (and the world) into war. The episode’s central theme revolves around the cyclical nature of history, particularly America’s involvement in foreign conflicts and the personal histories of those in power—culminating in a sharp, satirical look at Donald Trump’s avoidance of Vietnam and his hawkish stance on Iran.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historical Parallels and the Cyclic Nature of War

• Opening Anecdote (00:01–03:30):
  Alsina narrates the story of a 28-year-old analyst, Richard Clarke, tasked in 1979 with studying U.S. military deployment in the Persian Gulf after the Iranian Revolution. This anecdote sets the stage for examining how U.S. strategy in the Middle East has evolved—and often repeated itself.

• "El apodo que en el ejército tenía aquel general, le llamaban Bob el de las alambradas. Y el peso que en adelante tendría el Golfo Pérsico." (03:09)

2. Richard Clarke’s Legacy & Resignation

• Clarke ascends to "zar antiterrorista" under presidents Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton.

• After 9/11, Clarke becomes central to anti-terror strategy under Bush Jr., but resigns in 2003, disillusioned by the preparations for the Iraq War.

• Clarke's 2004 book, Against All Enemies, is a scathing critique of the Iraq invasion, asserting it was based on false motivations.

  • Quote:
    "Irak no suponía una amenaza para nuestro país. El presidente quiso hacérselo creer a los ciudadanos, pero el motivo nunca fue ese... Habría estado bien si hubiera funcionado. Pero ni está funcionando ni va a funcionar." —Richard Clarke (05:19)

3. Current Echoes: The Iran War and Joe Kent’s Resignation

• Drawing a direct line from Clarke to today, Alsina highlights the resignation of Joe Kent (current "zar antiterrorista" and Trump loyalist), again in protest over a war—this time in Iran—mirroring Clarke’s earlier break with the Iraq War.

  • Quote:
    "Irán no suponía una amenaza para nuestro país. Te han hecho creer que lograrías una victoria rápida. Pero no va a ser así... No puedes enviar a nuestros jóvenes a morir en una guerra que no está justificada." —Joe Kent’s resignation letter (07:19)

• Trump dismisses Kent, labeling him "flojo y desnortado," and, supported by his loyal congressional "coro," accuses critics of being antisemitic, echoing Israeli PM Netanyahu’s strategies for silencing dissent.

4. The War in Iran: Stalemate, Rhetoric, and Risks

• The war drags on with no clear victory, fueling fears that Trump may escalate by sending ground troops—“Taking Iran,” as Alsina quips, mimicking Trump’s sloganizing style.

  • Quote:
    "Taking Irán, que diría con su adicción al eslogan el hombre del pelo naranja. Taking Iran." (09:33)

• Iranian regime is depicted as both bellicose and repressive, while Trump maintains his trademark bravado.

5. Trump, Vietnam, and the Irony of Avoidance

• Alsina underscores Trump’s personal history of draft avoidance during the Vietnam War due to bone spurs—“los espolones”—and satirically contrasts this with Trump’s present-day hawkishness.

  • Quote:
    "Cuando por fin se graduó, fue declarado no apto por un espolón calcáreo que le impedía apoyar correctamente el talón, o sea, por sus espolones. Donald Trump nunca conoció Vietnam." (12:18)

• The New York Times investigation of Trump's deferment (“espolones”) is recounted, highlighting the absurdity and moral implications.

  • Quote:
    "En una rueda de prensa, le preguntaron a Trump. En cuál de los dos talones sufría el espolón. Y dijo que no lo podía recordar. Luego salió su equipo y en los dos." (13:05)

6. Historical Lessons and Warnings

• The Vietnam War’s legacy—its immense human cost and divisiveness—is evoked as a cautionary tale, one ignored by the current administration.

  • Quote:
    "Más de 50.000 soldados estadounidenses murieron en Vietnam. Más de un millón de vietnamitas murieron en Vietnam. Cuando empezó aquella guerra, por cierto, tenía más apoyo popular que la que hoy tiene la guerra en Irán." (14:04)

• Alsina’s critique zeroes in on Trump’s lack of seriousness: "Nadie, salvo el presidente de la nación, el de los espolones, que son voceras."

7. Satirical Comparison: Real Military Service vs. Trump’s Claims

• Alsina derides Trump's claims of having a military spirit due to his private military school background, contrasting it with the real risks and discipline required in genuine military service.

  • Quote:
    "Donald Trump, tiene dicho que le habría gustado servir en el ejército...Porque para algo él estudió en la academia militar de Nueva York. Que no es West Point. Es un internado privado. Cuyos estudiantes van de uniforme, no de camuflaje." (15:15)

• Ends with a callback to "Bob el de las alambradas" and the values purportedly taught at Trump’s academy—never cheat, never lie—highlighting the gap between ideal and reality.

Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "Bob el de las alambradas" and the illusion of military readiness (03:09)
• Clarke’s blunt assessment of the Iraq War’s justification (05:19)
• Joe Kent’s echo of Clarke’s resignation, but under Trump and regarding Iran (07:19)
• Alsina’s mocking adoption of Trump’s slogan style: “Taking Irán” (09:33)
• The details of Trump’s draft avoidance and the farcical justifications (12:18–13:30)
• Contrasting Vietnam’s support and devastation with the current Iran war (14:04)
• Alsina’s acerbic satire of Trump’s “military” experience (15:15)

Final Thoughts

With wit and historical insight, Alsina’s monologue exposes the repeated follies of U.S. interventionism and lampoons the gap between the personal narratives of leaders and the realities of war. By drawing sharp lines between past and present, and through memorable anecdotes and biting irony, he leaves listeners reflecting on the true costs of war—and on who truly bears them.