Trump's War in Iran Polls Badly, but Will It Hurt Republicans in 2026?

The unpopular conflict has increased gas prices and injected volatility into the stock market, fraying Trump's base.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The US war in Iran is polling badly and has increased gas prices, but supporters say public opinion will shift. Despite voting for President Donald Trump three times, some Republican voters are critical of the conflict, with one retired Navy veteran saying "It's not our cause. It's their fight to fight." Polls show most Americans oppose the war, and experts warn it could hurt Republicans in the 2026 congressional elections.

Why it matters

The war in Iran is fraying Trump's Make America Great Again coalition, with the anti-interventionist wing expressing disappointment and anger that could turn a gathering Democratic blue wave into a potential tsunami in the 2026 elections. Democrats are already leading in polls asking voters which party should control Congress.

The details

Almost a week after the first strikes, early snapshots show a nation wary about once again entering the Middle East, with just 27% of Americans approving in a Reuters/Ipsos survey and 52% opposing the airstrikes in a Washington Post poll. The conflict has also kicked up gas prices and injected volatility into the stock market.

  • On March 2, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told reporters the conflict would not morph into a nation-building effort.
  • On March 4, the Senate rejected a war powers resolution to halt military hostilities against Iran.

The players

Amanda Cline

A 47-year-old retired Navy veteran from Cherry Valley, California who voted for Trump three times but thinks the war in Iran is the wrong move.

Pete Hegseth

The Pentagon chief who told reporters the conflict would not morph into a nation-building effort.

John Thune

The Senate Majority Leader who said "Iran has been building not only its nuclear capability but also its conventional weapons capability to a point that it would threaten the entire region" in defending the president's actions.

Kevin Roberts

The president of the Heritage Foundation, a key Trump ally who believes the administration will succeed in Iran within the four-week timetable.

Paul Holtzman

A 51-year-old Republican independent contractor from Rohrsburg, Pennsylvania who supports the military action against Iran, citing the foreign adversary's human rights abuses.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think it's worth it. It's not our cause. It's their fight to fight. It's their regime and their problem to fix.”

— Amanda Cline, Retired Navy veteran (USA TODAY)

“It's kind of insulting the intelligence of the American people to just have generals get up there and Hegseth get up there and just say, 'go military, go troops and wave your American flag and just support us no matter what.'”

— Amanda Cline, Retired Navy veteran (USA TODAY)

“The problem is Trump has switched now from 'we don't want these foreign wars, these things have been a disaster,' and he's now initiated probably the largest one the Middle East that we've ever seen.”

— Joe McGee, 80-year-old retired business executive and Republican from Fairfield, Connecticut (USA TODAY)

“I think that it's a path towards peace. You know, sometimes you can get peace through negotiation, but sometimes you have to use force to bring it about.”

— Paul Holtzman, 51-year-old Republican independent contractor from Rohrsburg, Pennsylvania (USA TODAY)

“Iran has been building not only its nuclear capability but also its conventional weapons capability to a point that it would threaten the entire region. (The president) is taking steps to make the world, our country, and our people safer.”

— John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (X)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.