Leaders within the MAGA movement are pushing back against the United States potentially joining the conflict between Israel and Iran. It comes at a time where President Donald Trump’s approval rating has declined amongst all Republicans.
MAGA against US involvement
Among the president’s supporters who have voiced their disapproval of America getting involved in combat are Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and political pundit Tucker Carlson.
Greene posted several tweets, with the message that Americans do not want to get involved in another foreign war.
Americans want cheap gas, groceries, bills, and housing.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) June 17, 2025
They want affordable insurance, safe communities, and good education for their children.
They want a government that works on these issues.
Considering Americans pay for the entire government and government salaries…
Also on X, she posted a picture of herself with Carlson, defending his comments on the issue. As part of his morning newsletter on his website, Carlson called Trump “complicit in the act of war.”
That led to Trump pushing back on Truth Social, saying, “Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”
Trump supporter Steve Bannon also made his opposition to U.S. involvement clear.
“This is exactly the same pitch as the Iraq War, weapons of mass destruction,” Bannon told Carlson. “Understand one thing, they think the playbook works. This is why we have to stop it now.”
Civilians in the MAGA movement also seem to be split on the issue. When looking at the responses to just one of Greene’s tweets, accounts that identify as MAGA appear to be split between U.S. involvement and trusting the president’s decisions.
MAGA for US involvement
There is some support from MAGA supporters for America to get involved, including from Fox News commentator Mark Levin. The longtime radio show host has repeatedly called for Trump to abandon nuclear talks with Tehran and allow Israel to strike, even before Israel engaged.
“The Iranians are about to get their asses kicked and it’s been coming since Jimmy Carter,” Levin said on Hannity.
Vice President JD Vance is also defending his boss.
“The president has shown remarkable restraint in keeping our military’s focus on protecting our troops and protecting our citizens,” Vance said on X. “He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment. That decision ultimately belongs to the President.”
Both Israel and U.S. officials say America has not helped Israel with their campaign against Iran. However, America has helped defend Israel from Iranian attacks.
On June 17, the president announced on social media, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.”
Declining approval rating
A new poll from NBC News and SurveyMonkey shows the number of Republicans who “strongly approve” of the president has declined 5%.
That poll also found 55% of adults disapprove of the job Trump is doing. Much of that shift comes from people who identify with the MAGA movement.
That survey also showed fewer MAGA supporters chose “thrilled” when asked how they felt about actions taken by the Trump administration so far. That’s compared to when they were asked in April.
