MAGA's Middle East Mess Is Trump's Base About to Crack?

MAGA Divided: Potential U.S. Involvement in the Middle East Sparks Internal Conflict

The MAGA movement, known for its staunch support of former President Donald Trump, finds itself increasingly fractured over the possibility of U.S. military action in the Middle East, particularly concerning the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The question of whether the U.S. should strike Iran, a suggestion that has gained traction in some circles, has ignited a fierce debate within the movement, threatening to alienate a significant portion of Trump's base.

Republican strategist Sarah Longwell, a Trump critic and publisher of The Bulwark, highlights the potential ramifications of U.S. military intervention. "There were a lot of people attached to Donald Trump singularly because they believed that he was going to be an anti-war president," Longwell stated. "And so that would be seen as a fundamental betrayal in ways that economic policy isn't." This sentiment underscores the core conflict: a perceived abandonment of Trump's "America First" principles.

Key Points of Division:

• Anti-War Sentiment: A significant portion of Trump's base rallied behind his promise to end foreign wars.
• "America First" Ideology: Intervention in the Middle East is seen by some as a betrayal of prioritizing domestic issues.
• Potential Base Fracture: Military action could alienate voters who supported Trump specifically for his anti-war stance.

The White House acknowledged that President Trump will make a decision on a potential U.S. strike against Iran "within two weeks." This announcement has amplified concerns among prominent MAGA figures, including:

• Tucker Carlson: The former Fox News host has been a vocal critic of U.S. involvement.
• Steve Bannon: The former Trump senior advisor argues that intervention contradicts "America First" principles.

However, the MAGA movement is not monolithic. Other voices, such as Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Fox News host Mark Levin, have advocated for U.S. support of Israel, highlighting the complex and contradictory viewpoints within the movement.

Trump himself campaigned on ending foreign wars during his 2024 presidential run, famously declaring, "We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into." This pledge resonates deeply with a segment of his base weary of prolonged military engagements.

Longwell emphasized the potential for a significant shift in Republican foreign policy views. "I don't think there's been any bigger switch over the last 20 years in the Republican Party...on foreign policy, it couldn't look more different than it did ten or 20 years ago. And it will be an unforgivable sin to a lot of people." She suggests that Trump's decision could irrevocably alter his relationship with a key segment of his support base.

"Donald Trump is great at commanding people to do what he wants. But I still think that for a big part of his base, they would not forgive him for some action in the Middle East."

The question remains: Who is President Trump listening to? Longwell suggests that Trump lacks a foundational commitment to any specific foreign policy idea, making him susceptible to influence from various sources, including online influencers like Laura Loomer. This lack of a clear guiding principle contributes to the uncertainty surrounding his decision-making process.

Ultimately, President Trump's decision on whether or not to engage militarily in the Middle East will have profound consequences, potentially reshaping the MAGA movement and the broader Republican Party. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of U.S. foreign policy and the internal dynamics of one of the nation's most influential political forces.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/20/nx-s1-5439184/maga-divide-trump-strike-iran