Trump's New Media Army Faces Backlash Over Iran War

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As the United States finds itself embroiled in another war in the Middle East, the article examines the shifting dynamics within President Donald Trump's conservative media support base. While Trump was able to win the presidency in part by appealing to voters who wanted to avoid costly nation-building projects, the article notes that some of Trump's most vocal conservative media backers are now divided over his decision to wage war in Iran. The piece explores how this divide mirrors the earlier "Never Trump" movement, where hawkish conservatives who opposed Trump's temperament ultimately returned to the Republican fold, while others remained steadfast in their opposition.

Why it matters

This story highlights the complex and evolving relationship between President Trump and his conservative media supporters. As Trump pursues a more interventionist foreign policy than some of his base expected, it raises questions about whether he can maintain the backing of key influencers who helped propel him to power. The divide also speaks to broader tensions within the Republican Party over the direction of its foreign policy.

The details

The article notes that while the "Never Trump" movement was somewhat eclectic, it was always disproportionately hawkish. Some of the original Never Trumpers returned to the Republican fold when Trump turned out not to be a "Trojan horse liberal," while others remained opposed due to character concerns. Now, as Trump wages war in Iran, the article states that "the biggest media megaphones behind him were reluctant adopters of the president at best--some were even OG Never Trumpers--whose audiences are dominated by people who were already going to turn out and vote Republican in the midterm elections anyway."

• The United States is once again stuck in another war in the Middle East.
• Trump sent many neoconservatives packing for their ancestral homes in the Democratic Party.