For all his readiness to spin the truth and spread falsehoods, Donald Trump can also often be disarmingly transparent. Frequently he will “say the quiet part out loud”, irrespective of the consequences for him, the country or the world.
He has done so in regard to the crisis between Iran and Israel and whether the US will take the momentous decision to militarily join its longtime ally and attack Tehran’s nuclear production facilities with massive 30,000lb ordnance.
“I have ideas as to what to do,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office. “I like to make a final decision one second before it’s due.”
Such an approach clearly carries with it the benefit of strategic ambiguity. If the president declines to be nailed down on what steps he will take, so his supporters argue, it keeps everyone guessing as well.
With the White House now saying he will decide within the next two weeks, it does provide an opportunity to work for a peaceful resolution, if Iran – and more pointedly if Israel – wishes to find one.
In this case, it seems Trump is genuinely saying what he believes. Were the US to get involved in military action, the impacts could reverberate beyond even the wildest fears of the president and his advisers.
One factor he is also considering is the way his actions will be received by his followers. One thing Trump supporters were attracted to when he ran for office, was a vow to keep the country out of foreign wars.
Having promised to bring peace to conflicts ranging from Ukraine to Gaza, the prospect of him getting the US involved in another one, has divided some of his most loyal supporters.
Tucker Carlson, an influential former Fox News host, opposes attacking Iran
“Who are the warmongers? They would include anyone who’s calling Donald Trump today to demand air strikes and other direct US military involvement in a war with Iran,” Carlson wrote on X.
On that list, he claimed, were Sean Hannity and Mark Levin, who work at Fox, Fox owner Rupert Murdoch, Ike Perlmutter the former CEO of Marvel, and Miriam Adelson, a wealthy GOP donor.
Also opposed to military involvement are Steve Bannon, who was Trump’s campaign manager during his first term, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman and hardcore loyalist.
“We can’t do this again,” said the populist Bannon, who hosts the “War Room” podcast. “We’ll tear the country apart. We can’t have another Iraq.”
Greene said on X: “Anyone slobbering for the US to become fully involved in the Israel/Iran war is not America First/MAGA. We are sick and tired of foreign wars. All of them.”
Maga supporters opposed are those with lesser known profiles internationally, but who have powerful voices within the movement, including author and podcast host Candace Owens and Jack Posobiec, a former Naval intelligence officer who has made a second career as a journalist for far right outlets.
The 31-year-old Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, is also in the “no” camp.
“No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy,” he said. He said he was concerned a split in the movement could “disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency”.
Meanwhile, those supporting military action are figures such Senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz of Texas. Cruz was interviewed by Carlson this week. In a clip that went viral, Cruz admitted he had no idea of the population of Iran, which is home to 90 million people.
“You don’t know the population of the country you seek to topple,” Carlson mockingly asked of Cruz. Cruz replied rather meekly: “I don’t sit around memorising population tables.”
square IRAN–ISRAEL CONFLICT ExplainedThe three options for Trump on Iran after promising ‘big things’
Read More
It is not clear what impact any of this will have on Trump.
In an interview with The Atlantic magazine he appeared peeved when asked about criticism from supporters who said getting involved in the conflict was not in accordance with “America First” ideas.
“Considering that I’m the one that developed America First, and considering that the term wasn’t used until I came along, I think I’m the one that decides that,” he said.
A Washington Post poll found 45 per cent of Americans opposed launching a strike while 25 per cent supported the move.
One thing that does feel true as Trump weighs up options is that he knows he is in his second term, who does not have to think about his reelection. He is more concerned about his legacy than whether his actions upset some supporters.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Trump has bought himself two weeks to win back angry Maga movement )
Also on site :
- Country 'MVP' Refunds Entire Audience Mid-Concert and Fans 'Cannot Believe He Did That'
- With Property Seized and Federal Funding Uncertain, Montana Asbestos Clinic Fights for Its Life
- Trump fija nuevo plazo de negociación de dos semanas y desencadena esfuerzo urgente por reanudar las conversaciones con Irán