Overview
- Newt Gingrich posted on X that “a dozen thermonuclear detonations” could carve a new waterway to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, quoting language from a Substack piece he linked.
- An X context note on the post explains the passage comes from a satirical Chinatalk article with a disclaimer that its views “do not necessarily represent those of anyone with brain cells.”
- The Chinatalk item was written as a humorous open letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rather than a policy proposal.
- Social media figures and readers criticized Gingrich’s post, with reactions from journalists and former congressman Adam Kinzinger highlighting the idea’s absurdity.
- The episode unfolded as shipping risks at the Strait of Hormuz have driven energy concerns and higher oil and gas prices reported by outlets covering the Iran war.