As Donald Trump considers options for involvement in Israel‘s war with Iran, one particular U.S. general has been in the president’s ear – and he’s getting what he wants.
Chief of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. Erik Kurilla – nicknamed ‘The Gorilla’ – has been sitting in on critical meetings with Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top decision makers in recent days, according to officials.
As the leader of CENTCOM, Kurilla is responsible for all U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
The general is highly decorated and has led the command since 2022.
Earlier in his military career, he was shot three times in a firefight in Iraq but carried on shooting at the enemy.
He has the president’s confidence perhaps more than anyone else, according to some current and former defense and intelligence officials who spoke to Politico.
Those officials say Kurilla has had an outsized role in recent planning as Tehran and Israel exchange missile fire.
His requests for more ships and aircraft have all been swiftly approved, officials say.
‘If the senior military guys come across as tough and warfighters, Hegseth is easily persuaded to their point of view,’ a former official told the outlet.
Kurilla ‘has been very good at getting what he wants.’
U.S. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, Commander of CENTCOM, has been a key advisor for the president and defense secretary amid the Iran-Israel war. Above he salutes after placing a wreath during a ceremony honoring the U.S. Army Rangers who risked and lost their lives assaulting German positions above the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, France, June 2024
President Trump said on Wednesday he may or may not strike Iran
Kurilla, right, is nicknamed ‘The Gorilla’ and is shown above with his soldiers pursuing an insurgent sniper after two soldiers were shot and wounded, one in the hand and one in the leg, in Mosul, Iraq, February 10, 2005
Trump said during an impromptu press conference outside the White House Wednesday that he is keeping all options on the table.
The president said he would not publicly answer questions about what he would do.
‘I can’t say that … You don’t seriously think I’m going to answer that question,’ he said.
‘You don’t know that I’m going to even do it. You don’t know. I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.’
Trump said Iranian officials proposed coming to the White House for negotiations.
He added: ‘I can tell you this – Iran’s got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate.’
As the Iranians look to meet with the president, Kurilla is ramping up U.S. firepower in the Middle East.
And as Kurilla spends time with key administration leaders his recommendations are being put into effect.
The CENTCOM commander has also clocked more face time with the president than any other general, one official told Politico.
Kurilla’s suggestions to ramp up air and naval defense in the region have cut against the recommendations of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, and the Pentagon Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby, four officials claimed.
‘The Gorilla’ is reportedly good friends with Trump’s ex-NSA Advisor Mike Waltz, who is now the president’s nominee to be ambassador to the U.N
Kurilla shaking hands with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last year
A photo of Trump in the Situation Room during his first term
The general’s ascendance may be at odds with the macho military persona Hegseth has put on display, from push-up competitions to weighted runs with soldiers.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell reassured that Hegseth is firmly in charge, adding the secretary seriously considers his generals’ advice.
‘Secretary Hegseth empowers all of his combatant commanders the same way, by decentralizing command and harnessing their real-world expertise,’ Parnell said.
‘Our senior leaders are in lock step and will continue to work in unison to deliver on President Trump’s national security agenda.’
One official bucked the idea that Kurilla is at odds with other leaders like Caine.
‘Absolutely no daylight between Kurilla and Caine,’ they said.
