FRONT ROYAL, Va. — As President Donald Trump prepared to order the bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites, several prominent figures within his “Make America Great Again” movement expressed concern over the potential repercussions. Despite these warnings, interviews and early polling indicate that Trump’s decision has been largely embraced by his political base.
Tucker Carlson, a key media personality, accused Trump of deviating from his promise to avoid new conflicts. Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, cautioned that escalation could prove divisive. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, argued that military intervention might hinder the administration’s focus on domestic priorities, such as immigration enforcement.
Nevertheless, many Trump voters have voiced their approval of the strikes, viewing them as consistent with the president’s “America First” policy. Ken Slabaugh, a retired Air Force veteran from Warrensburg, Missouri, expressed his unwavering support for the military action. Speaking near Whiteman Air Force Base, Slabaugh stated, “The Iranians can’t be trusted and they certainly can’t have a nuke.”
MAGA’s Enthusiastic Response
Across the nation, Trump supporters have echoed similar sentiments. At an American Legion post in Brunswick, Maryland, Army National Guard veteran Denny Bayer described the attacks as “awesome” and emphasized Trump’s efforts to secure a nuclear deal with Iran. “He wants global peace,” Bayer remarked, adding that Trump had given Iran ample time to negotiate.
In Front Royal, Virginia, Stacey Roles, a retired drywaller, praised Trump’s decision as “the right one.” Roles, 77, identified himself as a staunch supporter of the MAGA movement, asserting, “Trump’s got my support.”
Targeting ‘A Bully’
In Oklahoma, GOP leader Pam Pollard expressed her belief that the military action would garner global support, except from a few dissenters. Pollard criticized Iran as a regional bully and commended Trump for standing firm. “President Trump isn’t someone to be bullied,” she asserted, though she voiced concerns about the potential activation of terrorist cells worldwide.
Meanwhile, in Kentucky, Donna Williamson, a Republican from Carrollton, expressed apprehension about the possibility of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. “I hope and I pray that Trump is doing the right thing, but I will reserve judgment,” she said.
What Early Polling Shows
Initial polls reveal a stark partisan divide regarding the military action. According to a Quinnipiac University poll, approximately 80% of registered Republican voters support the strikes, while about half of all respondents disapprove. The poll also found that 75% of Democratic voters oppose the strikes, with many fearing increased danger to Americans.
“80% of Republicans believe the strikes will make Americans safer, while nearly as many Democrats believe the strikes will make Americans less safe.”
Furthermore, a Fox News poll conducted prior to U.S. involvement indicated that nearly 8 in 10 registered voters were concerned about Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump’s History of Foreign Intervention
Trump’s presidency has been marked by a complex relationship with foreign intervention. While he campaigned against the “forever wars” in Afghanistan and Iraq, he has not shied away from military actions abroad. In 2019, U.S. forces killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria, and in 2020, Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, a move that sparked fears of a wider conflict.
More recently, Trump authorized airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, promising to use “overwhelming lethal force” to protect maritime routes. Addressing concerns about his base’s reaction to the Iran strikes, Trump confidently stated, “My supporters are more in love with me today.”
‘He Should Finish the Job’
In Clearwater, Florida, Republican Bill Cantle expressed his belief that Trump is “doing the right thing” in Iran. Cantle, accompanied by his wife in La Grange, Kentucky, urged Trump to complete the mission. “I just think he should finish the job. Not leave it half-done,” he said.
Peter Espinosa, a retired Army sergeant from Doral, Florida, described Iranian officials as “the bad guys” and praised Trump’s discipline. “I truly believe he’s a peacekeeper,” Espinosa stated, emphasizing the need to address Middle Eastern hostilities to safeguard the U.S.
At a GOP fundraiser in Lima, Ohio, Clark Spieles, a trustee from Shawnee Township, expressed confidence in the administration’s actions. “Nobody likes war, everybody wants peace,” Spieles remarked, adding, “I have confidence that they’re doing the right thing.”
As the situation unfolds, the nation remains divided on the implications of the strikes, with Trump’s supporters largely backing his decision and others wary of the potential for escalation.
