'Major schism' in Trump coalition amid Iran-'Israel' escalation
3 Min Read
Trump, who campaigned on ending foreign entanglements and bringing peace to the Middle East and Ukraine, now faces growing skepticism from his followers who fear US involvement in another conflict.
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US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk after greeting guests during the congressional picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on June 12, 2025. (AP)
US Republicans have largely backed "Israel’s" strikes on Iran, but the escalating crisis is putting President Donald Trump in a difficult position, caught between pro-war hawks in his base and the isolationist "America First" supporters who helped elect him.
Trump warned Iran on Friday to urgently return to the negotiating table, following Israeli strikes targeting nuclear and military facilities across the country. The former president cautioned that failure to act swiftly would result in further “death and destruction.”
Right-wing commentator and Trump ally Mark Levin praised the strikes on Fox News, crediting Trump for a tougher stance than Biden’s.
Trump faces a growing rift within his base as grassroots MAGA activists reject US support for "Israel’s" strike on Iran, highlighting a clash between his anti-war promises and pressure from pro-"Israel" allies, while even prominent conservatives and officials express concern over escalating involvement.
“This is a sticky one for Trump,” said political analyst Larry Sabato, noting the tension between the isolationist leanings of Trump’s "America First" supporters and his alignment with "Israel".
Mark Levin praised the strikes, but he faced backlash from fellow conservative Tucker Carlson, who accused him of pushing regime change in Iran under the guise of outrage.
Even Secretary of State Marco Rubio, typically a foreign policy hawk, distanced the US from "Israel’s" unilateral attack, which targeted nuclear sites and killed top Iranian commanders.
Though Trump had previously voiced opposition to military action, insisting only that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, by Friday he appeared to shift tone, calling the Israeli operation “excellent,” according to ABC.
Trump abandoning 'America First'
That shift risks alienating the isolationist wing of his base, many of whom oppose US involvement abroad.
Trump’s public praise for Israel’s strike on Iran and confirmation of US support has sparked backlash among his own "America First" base, with critics accusing him of abandoning his anti-war promises.
Some, citing Israeli media, claim Trump’s earlier opposition to military action was part of a deliberate disinformation campaign to mislead Iran, leading to frustration even among staunch supporters.
Charlie Kirk, a pro-"Israel" MAGA influencer and vocal Trump ally, revealed on his podcast that the vast majority of his audience opposes "Israel’s" actions, calling the response “99 to 1” against the strikes. He questioned whether such support could align with Trump’s "America First" doctrine, warning of a major split in the MAGA movement.
A poll Kirk posted on X showed nearly 90% of over 300,000 respondents said the US should not get involved in the Israeli aggression against Iran.
Should the US get involved in Israel’s war against Iran?
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 13, 2025
Fellow activist Jack Posobiec echoed those concerns, warning before the attack that it could fracture Trump’s base and threaten GOP chances in the upcoming midterms. "Trump smartly ran against starting new wars, this is what the swing states voted for," he said. "The midterms are not far and Congress' majority is already razor-thin. America First!"
