A strategist says MAGA is divided over Trump threats to strike Iran

The MAGA movement is divided over how President Trump should react to escalating conflict between Israel — a U.S. ally — and Iran, including a suggestion that the U.S. could strike Iran. Republican strategist Sarah Longwell says a U.S. strike would be viewed as an “unforgivable sin” to a big part of Trump’s base.

“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 told Morning Edition. “And so that would be seen as a fundamental betrayal in ways that economic policy isn’t.”

The White House said on Thursday that Trump will make a decision on whether the U.S. will strike Iran “within two weeks.” That announcement came amid growing concerns from some of the president’s most vocal supporters, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and former Trump senior adviser Steve Bannon. They argue Trump is betraying his America First principles.

The White House has dismissed any connection between the criticism and Trump’s delay in making a decision. Trump often gives “two weeks” as a deadline before taking action.

President Trump campaigned on ending foreign wars during his 2024 presidential run.

“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,” Trump pledged during his second inauguration speech.

Though many MAGA figures have expressed disapproval of the U.S. getting involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, others support U.S. involvement, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Fox News host Mark Levin, who have called for Trump to help Israel.

The following excerpt has been edited for length and clarity.

Interview highlights

Destinee Adams produced the web version of this piece and Treye Green edited it.