Trump faces MAGA backlash amid World War III fears — supporters furious over his moves on Israel-Iran war
Trump infuriates MAGA base as Israel-Iran conflict escalates and war fears grow-
Donald Trump is facing rising backlash from his MAGA base after Israel's latest military strike on Iran reportedly killed three top Iranian officials and damaged a key nuclear facility in Natanz. The mission, called "Operation Rising Lion," has created a serious political dilemma for President Trump, who is now under pressure to balance his unwavering support for Israel with growing demands from within his base to avoid another war in the Middle East.
According to a detailed report by
Politico's Rachel Bade
, prominent figures in the MAGA movement have privately and publicly urged Trump to stop this kind of escalation. Many are now openly questioning whether Trump tried to prevent the Israeli attack or quietly supported it—an issue that could deeply affect his political standing in the months leading up to the 2026 midterms.
Why is the MAGA base upset with Trump over Israel's attack?
The MAGA base has long supported Trump's 'America First' approach to foreign policy, which includes avoiding costly wars overseas. However, Israel's airstrike on Iran this week has challenged that principle. MAGA-aligned voices like Charlie Kirk and Breitbart's Matt Boyle have raised alarm about Trump's handling of the situation.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Costco Shoppers Say This Wrinkle Cream Is "Actually Worth It"
The Skincare Magazine
Boyle warned that if Trump loses the support of the MAGA base over this issue, it could 'define his presidency.' Speaking to Bade, he said,
'Clearly people across the MAGA movement are watching what's happening very closely and are concerned that any moves by globalists and neocon forces to drag the United States into another endless war in the Middle East would cause serious political damage to the president.'
Did Trump approve Israel's Operation Rising Lion?
There's uncertainty over whether Trump tried and failed to stop Israel's strike or quietly approved it behind closed doors. According to
Politico
, the administration firmly denies any advance knowledge or approval of the operation. But Bade writes,
'The president either tried and failed, highlighting his lack of sway with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu — or he privately greenlit the campaign against the warnings of his base.'
Live Events
This ambiguity is creating further tension within the MAGA movement, which expects Trump to remain in control of foreign policy decisions and keep American troops out of foreign entanglements.
Can Trump maintain the America First promise amid rising war threats?
Trump's "America First" doctrine is under strain. Supporters like Charlie Kirk, despite being vocal pro-Israel advocates, are openly voicing concern about the direction of Trump's foreign policy.
Kirk stated on his show,
'I'm very pro-Israel… but the audience, you guys, are not thrilled with this situation at all. How does the America First foreign policy agenda stay consistent with this right now?'
The question captures the internal conflict faced by many in Trump's base: How can the U.S. support Israel without getting pulled into a wider conflict?
Is Trump losing control over U.S.-Israel relations?
Critics argue that Trump's influence over Israel's actions appears to be weakening. If he did oppose the strike and was ignored, it raises questions about his leadership on foreign policy. If he approved it, he risks alienating core supporters who fear another long-term military entanglement.
Either way, Trump is stuck between two politically risky paths: Appeasing his strong pro-Israel stance or holding back to prevent a regional war that most Americans don't want. This tightrope walk could shape how voters see his presidency and his promises.
How is Trump trying to calm tensions after Israel's attack?
Early Friday, Trump took to Truth Social with a dramatic plea aimed at Iran, urging leaders in Tehran to make a deal before more devastation occurs.
'There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.'
The message seems aimed at defusing tensions, but it also hints at the depth of the crisis and the limited tools Trump has left to prevent the region from spiraling into war.
What's next for Trump as war fears grow in the Middle East?
With multiple Iranian leaders killed, a major nuclear site damaged, and Israel on high alert for possible retaliation, the U.S. now finds itself closer to war than it has in years. For Trump, this moment could define his presidency — and whether his 'America First' pledge holds strong or collapses under geopolitical pressure.
Key MAGA voices are watching closely. If Trump fails to manage this crisis in a way that satisfies both Israel and his base, the long-term political cost could be heavy — especially as his 2026 strategy takes shape.
FAQs:
Q1: Why is the MAGA base upset with Trump after Israel's attack on Iran?
They believe Trump failed to stop the strike, risking U.S. involvement in another war.
Q2: What is Operation Rising Lion and why is it important?
It's Israel's military attack on Iran that killed top officials and raised war concerns.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
32 minutes ago
- First Post
The row over Israeli military map showing J&K as part of Pak, Northeast as Nepal
Amid tensions with Tehran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a map that depicted the 'global threat' of Iranian missiles. However, the map incorrectly depicted India's international boundaries and showed Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan, and placed the states of the northeast within Nepal. While the IDF later apologised for the blunder, it left Indians fuming read more On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a map on X that incorrectly depicted India's international boundaries. It showed Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan, and mistakenly placed the states of the northeast within Nepal. Image courtesy: X/@IDF A map meant to show the threat of Iranian missiles ended up causing a completely different kind of trouble for the Israeli military. On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a map on X that incorrectly depicted India's international boundaries. It showed Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan, and mistakenly placed the states of the northeast within Nepal. The error didn't go unnoticed. Many Indian users quickly pointed out the blunder, calling it unacceptable and demanding that the IDF take the post down. Some even tagged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the backlash grew, the IDF stepped in to acknowledge the mistake. Here's a closer look at what happened. IDF's map blunder Amid an escalating military conflict with Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a stylised map on X, warning of Tehran's 'global threat' by showing the estimated reach of Iranian missiles. 'Iran is a global threat. Israel is not the end goal, it's only the beginning. We had no other choice but to act,' the Israeli military wrote in the post, adding a map that spanned West Asia, North Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia, including India, with incorrectly drawn borders. Iran is a global threat. Israel is not the end goal, it's only the beginning. We had no other choice but to act. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025 It omitted Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, which are constitutionally integral parts of India. Aksai Chin, which is part of Ladakh, was also excluded from Indian territory. Arunachal Pradesh was also misrepresented. The graphic featured red concentric circles originating from Iran, highlighting the missile reach over neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Libya, Ethiopia, India, China, Russia, Turkey, and parts of Europe like Romania and Bulgaria. Soon after the post went live, Indian users flooded the comments. Many expressed disappointment and anger, calling the map misleading and insensitive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Forget precision, it's no way near the truth. Why not change it rather than posting this sorry note? You need to understand India sentiments and our relationship. Better late than never, change it ASAP plz,' one user replied. Another tagged Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the map be deleted and re-posted with the correct borders. Some users even reminded Israel of India's historical support and the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers in defence of the country's territorial integrity. So far, the Indian government has not officially responded to the incident. IDF admits mistake, issues apology In the face of mounting criticism, the IDF eventually admitted its mistake and issued a public apology. 'This post is an illustration of the region. This map fails to precisely depict borders. We apologise for any offence caused by this image,' the IDF posted on X. This post is an illustration of the region. This map fails to precisely depict borders. We apologize for any offense caused by this image. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The timing of the error struck a particularly sensitive chord because of the strong ties shared between India and Israel in recent years. In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to visit Israel, marking a key moment in bilateral relations. Since then, the relationship has grown steadily. India is now one of Israel's largest trading partners, behind only the US, UK, Hong Kong, and China, and a major buyer of Israeli defence equipment. With such strong ties, many found the map blunder unexpected and disappointing. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) sign the guest book at the Indian Army Cemetery of World War I to honour fallen Indian soldiers, in the Israeli coastal city of Haifa July 6, 2017. File image/ Reuters Meanwhile, the map was originally shared as part of Israel's messaging around its latest military action— Operation Rising Lion . On Friday, Israel launched massive airstrikes on Tehran, claiming it was targeting Iran's nuclear enrichment infrastructure. The strikes reportedly killed over 70 people, including several high-ranking Iranian military commanders, and destroyed key facilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles targeting several areas in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, following a stern warning from its military that 'everyone will feel it.' By Saturday, the situation had worsened further, with additional waves of offensive attacks from both sides. With input from agencies
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Crude jitters, not crisis: Oil firms eye margin hit, but rule out supply shock amid Israel-Iran tensions
Indian oil companies expect their profit margins to shrink due to rising crude prices but do not anticipate a major supply crisis after the Israel-Iran military conflict caused a sharp 9% spike in oil prices on Friday, reported TOI. Benchmark Brent crude briefly surged to $78.50 a barrel before settling at $75.55- $6.19 above the previous close- marking the sharpest single-day swing since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. After holding a review meeting with petroleum secretary Pankaj Jain and top officials of state-run oil refiners and retailers, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India has sufficient energy reserves. 'India's energy strategy is shaped by successfully navigating the trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability under the dynamic leadership of PM Narendra Modi,' he posted on X. India consumes between 4.5 and 5 million barrels of oil per day. The country has emergency reserves of 5 million tonnes- about 37 million barrels- while refiners and oil firms hold additional stocks for 40–45 days. A significant volume of crude is also in transit, and fuel is stored across refineries and depots nationwide. Despite this preparedness, India relies on imports for over 80% of its oil and half of its gas requirements. Around 50% of these imports pass through the Hormuz Strait , a vital chokepoint handling nearly 20% of global seaborne oil flows. 'India doesn't buy any oil from Iran. So there's no worry on that count,' a senior oil company executive said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'As far as blocking Hormuz Strait is concerned, it is extremely unlikely. It has never happened before, even during earlier wars. Blocking Hormuz will draw in others in the region as both outbound crude and inbound refined products will halt. Iran itself will suffer.' According to a statement by the Iranian government, the country's refineries and fuel depots under the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company have not sustained any damage and are operating normally. The primary concern for oil companies is declining profitability. 'We are sure to end up taking a hit on profitability as under-recoveries return if oil remains elevated for an extended period,' another executive said. While some believe the market has already absorbed the geopolitical risk—as evident from the fallback in crude prices—most agree that insurance premiums will rise due to increased threat perception and the likelihood of vessels avoiding conflict-prone waters. 'Iran may not block Hormuz. But Teheran-backed rebels could target vessels. Even in such cases, interruptions of a cargo or two can easily be bridged from elsewhere as India has a diversified pallate,' the first executive added. Industry insiders said that margins on petrol and diesel sales are in single digits, while under-recoveries on domestic LPG cylinders have reached Rs 160–170. If crude remains costly, imported LNG- priced against Brent- will also see a rise in cost.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Cyprus, Canada and Croatia: PM Modi's first foreign visit since Operation Sindoor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File photo) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an official visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia from June 15 to 19, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday. According to the MEA, PM Modi will begin his trip in Cyprus on June 15-16, then travel to Kananaskis, Canada, on June 16-17 to participate in the G-7 Summit, before concluding with an official visit to Croatia on June 18. "At the invitation of the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, PM Modi will pay an official visit to Cyprus June 15-16. This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades. While in Nicosia, the Prime Minister will hold talks with President Christodoulides and address business leaders in Limassol," the MEA said. The visit is expected to reaffirm the two nations' shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and boosting India's engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union. In the second leg of the tour, PM Modi will head to Canada to participate in the G-7 Summit at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "This would be PM Modi's 6th consecutive participation in the G-7 Summit," the MEA stated. At the summit, the Prime Minister will join discussions with G-7 leaders, outreach countries, and heads of international organisations on pressing global issues, including energy security, technology, innovation, the AI-energy nexus, and Quantum-related topics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like GMC's New Sierra Is Turning Heads (See Prices) FrequentSearches | Search Ads Learn More Undo PM Modi is also scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. The final stop of his tour will be Croatia, where PM Modi will pay an official visit on June 18 at the invitation of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. This will mark the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, described by the MEA as a significant milestone in India-Croatia relations. During his stay, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Plenkovic and meet Croatian President Zoran Milanovic. The visit is expected to further strengthen India's ties with its partners in the European Union.
