A poll shows widespread public disapproval of President Trump’s war on Iran, with significant opposition even among his supporters. The conflict has sparked a rift within the MAGA movement, pitting nationalists against hawks. Figures like Joe Kent have resigned in protest, while others feud publicly.
President Donald Trump’s war on Iran has divided his MAGA coalition, according to a Yahoo and YouGov poll showing 55 percent public disapproval, including 90 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of independents, and 17 percent of Republicans. Among 2024 Trump voters, 24 percent disapprove of the war. This polarization suggests support among Republicans stems partly from brand loyalty rather than enthusiasm, as Trump’s base includes many independents affected by the split. Joe Kent resigned as director of the US National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday, citing opposition to the war. In his resignation letter, Kent stated, “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” He also linked it to the 2003 Iraq War. Disillusioned voices include Nick Fuentes, Candace Owens, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Kent. Pro-war advocates comprise Senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, plus Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin. Tensions erupted in a public spat: Kelly criticized “Israel firsters like Mark Levin,” prompting Levin to call her “an emotionally unhinged, lewd, and petulant wreck” and “utterly toxic.” Kelly retorted by nicknaming him “Micropenis Mark” and accusing him of obsessive, crude tweets. Trump intervened via Truth Social, defending Levin and asserting, “THEY ARE NOT MAGA, I AM, and MAGA includes not allowing Iran, a Sick, Demented, and Violent Terrorist Regime, to have a Nuclear Weapon.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio made related comments before walking them back. The debate highlights tensions between hawkish imperialism and unilateral nationalism within the GOP.
