Two weeks into war with Iran, Trump faces political backlash

The president's handling of the conflict has drawn criticism from both parties and hurt his party's midterm prospects.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:05am

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Two weeks after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump is facing growing political challenges. He has struggled to explain the rationale for the war and how he plans to end it, while the conflict has led to rising oil prices, financial market turmoil, and American casualties that have eroded public support. Trump's move to ease some Russian sanctions has also undercut efforts to constrain President Vladimir Putin's ability to wage war in Ukraine. Democrats are seizing on the economic fallout to attack Trump's policies ahead of the midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake.

Why it matters

The war with Iran has become a major political liability for Trump, undermining his claims of foreign policy success and economic management. With midterm elections looming, the president's handling of the conflict could have significant implications for the Republican Party's prospects in November.

The details

In the two weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump has struggled to articulate a clear rationale for the war or a strategy for ending it. The conflict has led to rising oil prices, financial market turmoil, and American casualties, all of which have eroded public support. Trump has also faced criticism for easing some Russian sanctions, which has undercut efforts to constrain President Vladimir Putin's ability to wage war in Ukraine. Democrats are seizing on the economic fallout to attack Trump's policies ahead of the midterm elections.

  • Two weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran
  • Last weekend, Trump golfed at one of his South Florida properties a day after witnessing the dignified transfer for six U.S. soldiers killed in the Iran war

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who launched the war with Iran.

Vladimir Putin

The President of Russia, whose ability to wage war in Ukraine has been bolstered by the easing of some Russian sanctions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The President of Ukraine, who criticized the easing of Russian sanctions as empowering Putin.

Rand Paul

A Republican Senator from Kentucky who suggested the GOP could face a "disastrous election" if gas and oil prices remain high.

Tucker Carlson

A prominent right-wing commentator who has sharply criticized Trump's handling of the war with Iran.

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What they’re saying

“They're flying by the seat of their pants, and rest of us are paying the price.”

— Kelly Dietrich, CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee

“We've won. You know, you never like to say too early you won. We won. We won the, in the first hour, it was over.”

— Donald Trump

“If gas and oil prices continue to stay high 'you're going to see a disastrous election' for the GOP.”

— Rand Paul, Republican Senator from Kentucky

What’s next

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The takeaway

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