Republicans Back Trump’s Iran Strikes, Multiple Polls Show, Undercutting Fears of a MAGA ‘Civil War’

New surveys suggest that most Republicans approve of President Trump’s strikes on Iran, casting doubt on reports of a MAGA “civil war” over the attacks.A poll from CNN found that 77 percent of Republicans approve of the military campaign in Iran and 83 percent agree that Mr. Trump has a clear plan for handling the conflict. Among Republicans who identify as “MAGA Republicans,” the share who strongly approve of the decision to strike jumps by 30 percent. Polls from CBS, Fox News, and the Washington Post, offer similar numbers, placing Republican support for the attacks at 85 percent, 84 percent, and 81 percent, respectively. “Don’t believe the fake news. MAGA isn’t split. MAGA influencers are split from MAGA voters,” said NewsNation host Batya Ungar-Sargon. The polls come as some influential conservative media figures have broken with the White House over its joint military campaign with Israel against Iran, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” sparking concerns of a wider party fracture. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly spoke out against the strikes Monday on her podcast, arguing the offensive was not in America’s interest. Ms. Kelly further suggested that the four American service members killed in Iran’s retaliatory strikes had died “for Iran or Israel.” By Wednesday, the death toll had risen to six.Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson offered an even sharper assessment, calling the strikes “absolutely disgusting and evil” on Saturday. Mr. Carlson had reportedly lobbied the president against attacking Iran in the days before the bombardment.Mr. Trump has dismissed the criticism and insisted the MAGA coalition is behind him. “MAGA wants to see our country thrive and be safe. And MAGA loves what I’m doing — every aspect of it,” he told independent journalist Rachel Bade on Monday.Addressing the criticisms raised by Mr. Carlson and Ms. Kelly directly, Mr. Trump said their views do not speak for the broader coalition. “I think that MAGA is Trump — MAGA’s not the other two,” he said. He added that the Iran campaign “is a detour that we have to take in order to keep our country safe and keep other countries safe, frankly.”America and Israel launched a wave of strikes beginning Saturday, targeting Iranian leadership, military installations, ballistic missile sites, and nuclear infrastructure. The campaign has hit thousands of targets, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.The president says the campaign’s objectives are to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, eliminate its navy, prevent nuclear weapons development, and cut off the regime’s funding of terrorism abroad. Mr. Trump said earlier this week that the operation is expected to last “four to five weeks” but could extend “far longer.”

Republicans Back Trump’s Iran Strikes, Multiple Polls Show, Undercutting Fears of a MAGA ‘Civil War’

More from the New York Sun

Can America End Tehran’s Nuclear Aspirations Without Boots on the Ground?

CBS News Reporter Who Denounced MAGA ‘Lies’ About 2020 Election Quits Over Network’s Balanced January 6 Coverage: Report

Democrats To Introduce Legislation Explicitly Banning Prediction Markets Related to War and Death

More from the New York Sun

Can America End Tehran’s Nuclear Aspirations Without Boots on the Ground?

CBS News Reporter Who Denounced MAGA ‘Lies’ About 2020 Election Quits Over Network’s Balanced January 6 Coverage: Report

Democrats To Introduce Legislation Explicitly Banning Prediction Markets Related to War and Death

‘CNN Is Not a Serious Organization’: Embattled Network Denounced for Sympathetic Coverage of ISIS Terror Suspects

‘Say Nothing’: Gerry Adams, Alleged IRA Commander, Dons Bulletproof Vest, Denies Ordering Bombings That Shook Britain

Apple News Makes Tiny Increase in Conservative Publications Featured on Top Stories List After Pressure from Trump Administration

American Missiles Pulled From South Korea To Buttress Campaign Against Iran

Extracting Enchantment From the Austen and Brontë Production Industries