Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump is reportedly taking steps to consolidate his support base by engaging with key MAGA proponents. With the possibility of U.S. involvement in the conflict causing a rift within his base, the President is focusing on restoring unity before making any definitive military decisions.
This past week, the President faced criticism not from the usual Democratic adversaries but from within his own circle of long-standing MAGA allies. Figures such as Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon expressed concerns that support for Israeli actions against Iran might alienate Trump’s followers. Carlson, in a newsletter, highlighted the discontent among Trump's base, while Bannon, on his podcast, called another foreign war politically risky, though he conceded that Trump could regain support by directly addressing the public.
“I only want one thing. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon – that's it. I'm not looking long-term, short-term. I've been saying it for 20 years.” - President Trump
The debate within Trump's base arises as Israeli officials urge the White House to authorize a strike using a massive bunker buster bomb to take out Iran's Fordow nuclear facility. Reports from Axios suggested that President Trump inquired if the weapon could accomplish the mission. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had given a tentative nod to the strike, a claim he vehemently denied on social media.
Despite these public disagreements, aides close to the President indicate that his broader focus lies in maintaining the cohesion of the MAGA coalition. Efforts include re-engaging influential supporters, smoothing over differences in messaging, and ensuring his national security team is on the same page. According to the Daily Mail, these discussions have involved both political and military figures, as the administration weighs domestic opinions against international repercussions.
Within the Oval Office, President Trump confirmed that Carlson had reached out with an apology for his remarks, which Trump felt were overly harsh. “Tucker’s a nice guy,” he said. “He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong.”
The administration also saw internal friction when Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a video stating that the U.S. was on the verge of nuclear annihilation, a message that some senior officials found counterproductive. Vice President J.D. Vance defended Gabbard, highlighting her loyalty to Trump and her role in shaping national security policy.
Security-first Republicans have criticized Carlson and Bannon's stance as isolationist, emphasizing the importance of supporting Israel to deter Iran's nuclear ambitions. On Wednesday, Trump referred to an upcoming Situation Room briefing on Iran as a “War Room” meeting and declared that Iran's window for negotiations had closed.
As international and domestic pressures mount, President Trump's challenge is two-fold: managing the political divide within his base and addressing the foreign policy crisis. In a recent tweet, Trump reassured his supporters that he is not seeking long-term conflict with Iran, stating, “I only want one thing. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon – that's it. I've been saying it for 20 years.”