Trump’s promise of peace tested as Israel-Iran conflict rattles his base

US President Donald Trump

Trump's support for Israel’s strike on Iran has sparked division within his anti-war MAGA base, raising fears of US entanglement in another Middle East conflict.

US President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise of peace, telling Americans he would end “forever wars,” broker deals in the Middle East, and avoid foreign entanglements. But Israel’s strike on Iran — and Trump’s strong support for it — has triggered anxiety among his staunchest MAGA backers, many of whom now fear the US is being pulled into yet another war in the Middle East, the Financial Times reported.

On the trail, Trump pledged to quickly end conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and said his leadership would prevent global war. “They said, ‘he will start a war’. I’m not going to start a war, I’m going to stop wars,” he declared after his 2024 election win.

Now, as Israel and Iran escalate hostilities, the image of Trump as an anti-war president is under pressure — and some of his most vocal supporters are sounding the alarm.

MAGA world erupts in confusion and criticism

Right-wing commentators, podcasters, and MAGA influencers reacted to the Israeli strikes with a mix of unease and outrage. “Very much,” Steve Bannon replied when asked if he feared the US would be dragged into a war with Iran. “They [Israel] are Israel First. We need to always be America First.”

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, warned of a brewing “MAGA civil war” online, as the movement splits between backing Israel and opposing further US military involvement. “Hawks will now be urging us to finish off the mullahs,” he said, but cautioned that past US interventions “were all easy at the start” and ended in disaster.

Popular figures like Tim Pool and Jack Posobiec compared the current crisis to being baited into conflict. “Israel is trying to get Iran to attack us just like your bitchy ex who tried goading some dude in a bar to fight you,” Pool wrote on X.

Trump’s position shifts, sparking more debate

Initially, confusion reigned over whether Israel acted independently. Trump had previously said he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran during nuclear talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that the US played no role in the initial strike.

But Trump later reversed course, telling the Wall Street Journal that Washington knew about the strikes in advance and praising them as a success. “It’s the greatest thing ever for the market,” he said, claiming the attack prevented Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Saagar Enjeti of Breaking Points accused Trump of misleading his own base. “Trump, not Israel, has made a mockery of all of us [who] wanted to avoid this war,” he said.

Peace or leverage? Trump’s balancing act

Despite the backlash, some believe Trump’s strategy is tactical. Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle argued the strike may improve US leverage in future nuclear talks. “If anything, what Israel did strengthens Trump’s hand,” he said.

Trump echoed this sentiment, telling CNN that the Iranian hardliners involved in negotiations are now “all dead.” Asked if Israel killed them, he quipped: “They didn’t die of the flu.”

As Trump tries to reconcile his America First brand with firm support for Israel, the path forward is fraught. His base remains deeply sceptical — and divided — over whether he’s still the anti-war president they voted for.