The approval rating of Donald Trump is declining amid the war with Iran. The U.S. president is now being criticized even by users of his own platform, Truth Social. At the same time, it has emerged that many of his advisers were skeptical about the conflict from the outset but chose not to dissuade him.
Following the outbreak of the war with Iran, Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to their lowest levels since the start of his second term. The five-week conflict, which ended in a two-week ceasefire, increasingly resembles anything but a U.S. victory. Iran has retained its stockpiles of enriched uranium and its political system, while also gaining control over the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s key routes for oil and gas trade. Against this backdrop, as noted by The New York Times, criticism of Trump is now coming even from his most loyal supporters.
The United States has declared itself the winner of the war with Iran. But the reality appears to be the opposite
The U.S. and Israeli military operation against Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes targeting military and infrastructure sites. During these attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed, and significant damage was inflicted on the country’s army and navy. In response, Tehran struck U.S. allies in the Middle East and blocked the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy crisis.
The objectives of the operation were highly ambitious: to destroy Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, bring about regime change, and “liberate” the country. The White House expected to achieve these goals within weeks and without a ground invasion. However, after five weeks of war, it became clear that these objectives had not been met. Iran not only preserved its strategic capabilities but also strengthened its position by gaining leverage over global energy markets. According to experts, control of the Strait of Hormuz gives Tehran a more powerful tool of influence than nuclear weapons themselves. In this sense, the attempt to weaken Iran has produced the opposite result.
Not all of the MAGA camp supported Trump
After the conflict began, several prominent figures associated with the MAGA movement voiced opposition. Among them were Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan, and Steve Bannon. They pointed to the contradiction between the war and Trump’s earlier promises to avoid foreign military interventions.
Polls indicated that most Americans did not support the war with Iran. However, approval remained high among Republicans, particularly Trump supporters. Even within this group, though, divisions emerged.
An analysis of more than 40,000 comments on Truth Social showed that reactions to the war were among the most negative of Trump’s second term. Users criticized both the conflict itself and the president’s rhetoric. Trump’s posts threatening Iran sparked particular outrage. One, published on Easter, drew backlash for its aggressive tone. Another, promising “the destruction of Iranian civilization,” was condemned by both Democrats and some Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene. The ceasefire announced shortly afterward also failed to reassure supporters, many of whom saw it as a concession without tangible gains.
Within the administration, doubts existed from the start but were not openly voiced
According to The New York Times, the Trump administration was not united on the necessity of the war. The idea of striking Iran was actively promoted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who argued that it was possible to quickly weaken Iran and trigger regime change.
However, U.S. intelligence agencies considered these scenarios unrealistic. CIA Director John Ratcliffe described the regime change plans as a “farce.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio and military officials adopted a more cautious stance, warning of the risks of a prolonged conflict.
Vice President JD Vance was the most consistent opponent of the war. He highlighted its high cost, the risk of domestic divisions, and the near impossibility of overthrowing the Iranian regime. Nevertheless, at the decisive moment, he too supported the president’s decision. Ultimately, Trump’s personal instinct proved decisive. His inner circle believed, as in the past, that he could turn a high-risk move into a political success.
This time, however, the consequences appear different. The war with Iran has not only failed to deliver a strategic victory, it has also become a source of domestic political instability, further weakening Trump’s support, even within his own base.
