US President's Supporters Split, American Analyst: They Feel Betrayed by Donald Trump

The solidarity of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement is beginning to fracture amid rising criticism of US President Donald Trump’s military policies towards Iran. Several influential figures who have long been pillars of support for Trump have now turned against him, assessing these steps as a betrayal of his campaign promises. Leading conservative Tucker Carlson has publicly expressed regret for supporting Trump. In his statement on 20 April, he admitted to having “misled the public” and assessed that the war against Iran does not benefit US security, but rather reflects the interests of Washington’s allies, particularly Israel. Similar criticism has come from other MAGA figures, such as Megyn Kelly and Candace Owens. Both view Trump’s policies as deviating from the campaign promises that formed the basis of his political support, especially the commitment to avoid involvement in foreign conflicts. This shift in stance indicates serious friction within Trump’s support base. Senior researcher at the Brookings Institution, Darrell West, states that the president now faces pressure from figures who were previously the driving force behind support in the 2024 election. “Trump has a big problem with a number of influencers who previously supported him but now feel betrayed. He promised to end foreign wars, yet he is involved in military operations in various regions,” said West. Nevertheless, support for these military policies has not entirely collapsed. An ABC News/The Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows that the majority of Republican voters affiliated with MAGA still support the military action against Iran. However, nationally, around 61 percent of Americans view the policy as a mistake. At the grassroots level, Trump’s supporters’ attitudes show more complex dynamics. Some remain supportive of the president, but not a few are questioning the urgency of military involvement abroad, especially amid unresolved domestic issues. Several analysts assess that this split has the potential to impact the Republican Party’s performance in the upcoming midterm elections. Political science professor at Saint Anselm College, Christopher Galdieri, warns that disappointment among voters could lower participation, even if they do not immediately switch to the Democratic Party.