The MAGA movement is currently experiencing notable divisions regarding how President Donald Trump should address the escalating tensions between Israel, a key U.S. ally, and Iran.
There are differing opinions among Trump’s supporters about whether military action, such as a potential U.S. strike on Iran, would align with Trump’s ‘America First’ principles.
Republican strategist Sarah Longwell expressed that for a significant portion of Trump’s base, any military engagement would be considered an ‘unforgivable sin.’
‘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 said during an interview on NPR’s Morning Edition.
She added, ‘That would be seen as a fundamental betrayal in ways that economic policy isn’t.’
The White House announced on Thursday that President Trump plans to make a decision within two weeks concerning U.S. military involvement against Iran.
This announcement comes amidst rising concerns from some of Trump’s most vocal supporters, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and former Trump senior adviser Steve Bannon.
Both Carlson and Bannon argue that Trump risks abandoning the America First ideology that resonated deeply with his voter base.
Despite the criticisms, the White House dismissed any connection between the discontent among supporters and Trump’s decision delay, noting that he often uses ‘two weeks’ as a typical timeline before taking action.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, President Trump emphasized his commitment to ending foreign wars, stating during his second inauguration speech, ‘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.’
While many MAGA figures have voiced opposition to U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, there are still proponents of intervention, such as Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Fox News host Mark Levin, who have called for Trump to support Israel.
In a recent discussion with NPR’s Leila Fadel, Longwell provided insights into the fractures within Trump’s base regarding this issue.
Leila Fadel posed the question of how significant these divides are within Trump’s constituency over the potential for military action against Iran.
Longwell acknowledged that foreign policy has long been a contentious issue that can deeply fracture Trump’s base, stating, ‘I’m not sure there’s an issue that fractures Trump’s new base more than foreign policy.’
She noted that Trump’s rise to prominence came from criticizing the foreign policy approaches of previous leaders, particularly the Bush administration’s involvement in Iraq.
This shift reflects a larger sentiment among many Republicans who feel fatigued by continuous foreign conflicts, especially those in the Middle East.
Through his campaigns, Trump has attracted a new faction within the Republican Party steeped in isolationism, particularly opposed to ‘forever wars,’ which many within the MAGA movement associate with previous Republican leaders.
For these supporters, any hint of military engagement is perceived as a substantial betrayal of their core beliefs.
Fadel further questioned Longwell about whether military involvement or discussions around regime change could fracture Trump’s base significantly.
Longwell asserted, ‘I think so. There’s a reason that Trump has sort of had J.D. Vance out there trying to quell concerns with his base about this.’
She emphasized that there has been a significant shift in foreign policy perspectives within the Republican Party in recent years, making it an integral aspect of MAGA ideology.
Longwell explained that any military action could lead to widespread disappointment among Trump’s supporters, stating, ‘It will be an unforgivable sin to a lot of people.’
She mentioned that while President Trump is adept at mobilizing his supporters, many would be unwilling to forgive him for any military action in the Middle East that goes against his previous anti-war stance.
Fadel inquired if Trump’s delay in making a final decision was influenced by the criticism from Carlson and Bannon, among other anti-war voices in the MAGA movement.
Longwell expressed her belief that Trump is indeed swayed by these voices more than he publicly admits.
‘One of the dangerous parts about Trump is that the kinds of people who have his ear, like Laura Loomer and other big online influencers, those are the kind of people who move Trump’s decision making,’ Longwell stated.
She also suggested that the former president’s denial of external influence on his decisions is inaccurate, emphasizing that Trump is aware of the expectations of his base regarding foreign engagement.
When asked whom Trump is likely to listen to at this juncture, Longwell pointed out that Trump lacks a cohesive foreign policy foundation, suggesting he might be open to a variety of opinions.
‘He’s probably listening a little bit to everyone, which is why he’s bouncing around,’ she said, indicating that Trump’s decision-making process is fluid and possibly inconsistent as it relates to foreign policy.
This ongoing situation underscores the complexity and evolving dynamics within the MAGA movement as it confronts differing views on Trump’s approach to international conflicts.
image source from：npr
