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Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump says supporters are 'more in love' with him than ever, as involvement in Iran roils MAGA world
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday downplayed any notion that his supporters are cooling on him amid uncertainty over whether he will order a U.S. strike on Iran, addressing a rift between some of his most vocal MAGA backers and national security conservatives. 'My supporters are more in love with me today, and I'm more in love with them, more than they even were at election time where we had a total landslide,' Trump told reporters as a new flagpole was erected at the White House, with machinery whirring in the background. 'I may have some people that are a little bit unhappy now, but I have some people that are very happy, and I have people outside of the base that can't believe that this is happening, they're so happy,' he said. Trump huddled Tuesday in the Situation Room with his national security team, and on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that the Pentagon was providing Trump with possible options on Iran but would not say whether the military was planning to assist with Israeli strikes. 'I may do it, I may not do it,' Trump said Wednesday, in the exchange with reporters. 'I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' Trump's comments came as some longtime defenders of his America First mantra are calling him out for weighing a greater U.S. role in the conflict between Israel and Iran after a week of deadly strikes and counterstrikes. Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, commentator Tucker Carlson and conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk are among those reminding their own devoted audiences of Trump's 2024 promises to resist overseas military involvement. Here's a look at the others who have chimed in: Steve Bannon Shortly before Trump spoke, Steve Bannon, one of his 2016 campaign's top advisers, told an audience in Washington that bitter feelings over Iraq were a driving force for Trump's first presidential candidacy and the MAGA movement, saying that 'one of the core tenets is no forever wars' for Trump's base. But Bannon — a longtime Trump ally who served a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 — went on to suggest that Trump will maintain loyalty from his base no matter what. On Wednesday, Bannon acknowledged that while he and others will argue against military intervention until the end, 'the MAGA movement will back Trump.' Ultimately, Bannon said that Trump will have to make the case to the American people if he wants to get involved in Iran — and he hasn't done that yet. 'We don't like it. Maybe we hate it," Bannon said, predicting what the MAGA response would be. "But, you know, we'll get on board.' Alex Jones The far-right conspiracy theorist and Infowars host on Wednesday posted on social media a side-by-side of Trump's official presidential headshot, and an AI-generated composite of Trump and former President George W. Bush, whom Trump and many of his allies have long disparaged for involving the United States in the so-called 'forever wars' in Iraq and Afghanistan. Writing 'What you voted for' above Trump's image and 'What you got' above the composite, Jones added: 'I hope this is not the case…' Tucker Carlson The commentator's rhetoric toward Trump has been increasingly critical, with the longtime supporter — who headlined large rallies with the Republican during the 2024 campaign — this week suggesting that the president's posture was breaking his pledge to keep the United States out of new foreign entanglements. Trump clapped back at Carlson on social media, calling him 'kooky.' During an event at the White House later Wednesday, Trump said that Carlson had 'called and apologized' for calling him out, saying Carlson 'is a nice guy.' On Wednesday, his conversation with GOP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz laid bare the divides among many Republicans. The two sparred for two hours over a variety of issues, primarily potential U.S. involvement in Iran, and Carlson accusing Cruz of placing too much emphasis on protecting Israel in his foreign policy worldview. 'You don't know anything about Iran,' Carlson said to Cruz, after the senator said he didn't know Iran's population, or its ethnic composition. 'You're a senator who's calling for the overthrow of a government, and you don't know anything about the country.' ___ Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina, and can be reached at
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First Post
29 minutes ago
- Politics
- First Post
Trump's countdown: Will diplomacy trump Israel-Iran war in 2 weeks?
Trump's back-and-forth between threats of military action and openness to diplomacy highlights a deepening rift within his MAGA campaign read more US President Donald Trump arrives to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit at the Rocky Mountain resort town of Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, June 15, 2025. File Image/Reuters In what appears to be a pivot away from immediate escalation, US President Donald Trump has set a two-week deadline to decide whether the United States will join Israel's military campaign against Iran or pursue a diplomatic resolution. Trump giving diplomacy last chance? White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt conveyed Trump's message: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.' This statement follows Israel's intense strikes on Iran, which began on June 13, targeting nuclear facilities, missile sites, and key military leaders, including top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials. Talks on between US, Iran Washington and Tehran are engaged in both direct and indirect talks, with the US pressing Iran to halt its uranium enrichment programme. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have held multiple phone conversations since Israel's attacks started, marking the most substantive direct dialogue since April 2025 negotiations in Oman and Italy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to three diplomats cited by Reuters, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, Araqchi insisted that Tehran would not resume negotiations unless Israel ceased its strikes. The discussions also touched on an American proposal from May 2025 to establish a regional consortium for uranium enrichment outside Iran, which Tehran has so far rejected. A regional diplomat close to Tehran noted that Araqchi hinted at potential 'flexibility' on the nuclear issue if Washington could pressure Israel to end the conflict. Europe-Iran talks In parallel, Britain, France, and Germany are stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. The three nations are holding high-level talks with Iran in Geneva, the first face-to-face diplomacy with Tehran since Israel's attacks began. The meeting follows Trump's remarks about the possibility of new talks, signalling a coordinated international push. Critical juncture Trump's back-and-forth between threats of military action and openness to diplomacy highlights a deepening rift within his MAGA campaign. The decision carries significant domestic political risk, as deeper US involvement in West Asia may end up alienating key voter bases while escalating tensions could bolster his strongman image. Strategically, the US has heightened its military presence in the region, with 40,000 troops deployed—up from the usual 30,000—and 27 military refuelling aircraft recently moved to Europe, suggesting preparations for potential long-range operations.
Politico
an hour ago
- Politics
- Politico
Playbook: What MAGA ‘civil war'?
Presented by With help from Eli Okun, Bethany Irvine and Ali Bianco On this morning's Playbook Podcast, Adam and Zack Stanton discuss whether Iran is dividing MAGA, how the specter of Iraq looms and the emergence of a new 2028 litmus test. Good Friday morning. This is Adam Wren. How about those Indiana Pacers? Get in touch. In today's Playbook … — Is talk of a 'civil war' over Iran within the MAGA universe overblown? — Ro Khanna tells Dasha Burns he's tired of Chuck Schumer's 'gobbledygook' answers about Iran and an authorization for use of military force. — A federal appeals court unanimously ruled in favor of Donald Trump over Gavin Newsom in the California National Guard case. DRIVING THE DAY THE BIG QUESTION: What exactly is Trump going to do about Iran? That question, its potential answer and the implications that flow from it will ricochet around Washington today. In Geneva: The foreign policy chiefs of the U.K., France, Germany and EU are meeting with their Iranian counterpart for nuclear talks with an eye toward an off-ramp on bombing Iran, as my POLITICO colleagues report from London. Among the attendees is U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy, who yesterday had a 40-minute meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff — and 'came out believing that Trump really does prefer a deal over military action,' POLITICO's Sam Blewett reports in this morning's London Playbook. In Washington: The president will hold a national security meeting in the Oval Office at 11 a.m. That comes as Trump yesterday retreated to a familiar safe space as he weighs his choice: a 'two week' period during which he'll make a decision. If that timetable sounds familiar, there's a reason. 'Two weeks,' as NYT's Shawn McCreesh notes, is a long-running 'slippery thing' and 'not a measurement of time so much as a placeholder' for Trump. 'Tax plans, health care policies, evidence of conspiracy theories he claimed were true, the fight against ISIS, the opening of some coal mines, infrastructure plans — all were at one point or another riddles he promised to solve for the public in about two weeks,' he writes. ('With President Trump, two weeks sometimes can be kind of nebulous,' Steve Bannon told Playbook late last night.) Instead of playing the will-he-or-won't-he game, let's dive into the politics at play. Whatever path Trump chooses vis-à-vis Iran will unfurl a reality that could shape American politics for years to come. IS THE MAGA 'CIVIL WAR' ON IRAN REAL? Since Iran emerged as a central issue in Washington, there has been copious chatter about a 'civil war' within the MAGA movement over potential U.S. involvement in Iran. And for good reason: Opposing foreign intervention was one of the central planks of Trump's campaign platform and played a huge part in his rise to power. Attacking Iran could risk shattering Trump's MAGA coalition and alienating the true believers. It's worth asking whether that's more the stuff of a Resistance fever dream, though. Based on a number of conversations we've had with MAGA leaders, there are few signs anyone has the appetite or interest in seriously taking on the president over this. Not Steve Bannon: The 'War Room' host and keeper of the 'America First' flame had lunch with Trump yesterday. Though he declined to discuss his meal with the president, Bannon told Playbook last night that 'the MAGA movement tonight is in a great place.' Trump 'clearly stated' that he wants 'to look at other alternatives,' Bannon told Playbook. 'This is a guy, before he turns to violence in terms of military kinetic action, he looks at every other alternative you can do. I think it just once again reinforces the reason that the MAGA movement loves him.' (Bannon puts the onus on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, saying 'Netanyahu's government needs to finish what it started.') Not Charlie Kirk: There is perhaps no greater proof point of a ratcheting down of MAGA consternation on Iran engagement than Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk posted to X earlier this week that 'No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy,' and added that a schism on Iran could 'disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency.' But when Playbook spoke with him yesterday, he was singing from a different hymnal. 'It's not a civil war,' Kirk told us. 'I think that there is robust and healthy disagreement and discussion.' What explains it? Ryan Girdusky, a Republican political consultant with ties to VP JD Vance, put it to Playbook succinctly: 'No one gives a fuck about a few bombs so long as we don't send in ground troops.' Another factor, of course: For the last decade, Trump — rather than any specific policy issue — has been a sort of one-man dividing line defining the sides in American politics: For or against? It's hard to see that changing, especially in an era of negative partisanship. ON THE HILL: Left unsaid in White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's briefing yesterday: Whether Trump would seek authority from Congress for any military action in Iran. If he does, he seems to have a partner in one of his own party's biggest advocates for Congress wresting back war powers from the president: Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.). What's surprising about this: Young is no reflexive MAGA booster and did not endorse Trump's 2024 campaign. For years, he has teamed up with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to reassert Congress' role in authorizing military force. With Iran driving the news, Kaine is again demanding a new vote on authorization for the use of military force. But now, Young sounds unlikely to join his longtime Hill ally on the issue — at least with the same vociferousness as in the past. A spokesperson for Young tells Playbook that the senator 'plans to review the text [of Kaine's proposal], and will be following events closely leading up to any votes.' Earlier in the week, Young, who has long argued for a tougher stance on Iran, said on X he would 'work with the Administration should any congressional authorization be necessary to protect the American people and advance our core national security interests.' But the issue is dividing Democrats: At least one prominent Hill Dem is not impressed with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's leadership on Iran. In a clip just posted on YouTube, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) tells Playbook's Dasha Burns he's disappointed by Schumer's answer on whether he'll help push for a vote on Kaine's AUMF resolution. 'He could have said, 'No, I'm not, because I want Trump to attack Iran.' Or he could have just said, 'Yes, I am' — which is where I think the Democratic Party should be,' said Khanna. 'Instead, he gave this gobbledygook answer, which no one other than Washington Beltway consultants understand. Part of my problem is he didn't take a clear stand. That's exactly what people hate about the Democratic Party.' The full episode posts on Sunday morning. Subscribe to 'The Conversation with Dasha Burns' For your planning: Schumer has privately confirmed there will be an all-senators classified briefing on Iran early next week, an aide for the minority leader told POLITICO'S Inside Congress this morning. WHERE THERE *IS* SOME TREPIDATION: It's within Trump's own Cabinet, where some of the most significant opposition to an Iran strike lies. In March, DNI Tulsi Gabbard testified before Congress that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, and she has suggested Washington political elite are 'carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers.' (Trump dismissed her testimony earlier this week with a curt, 'I don't care what she said.') What's going on here? Gabbard's views on foreign interventionism were hugely shaped by having deployed to Iraq as a member of the Army National Guard from 2004–2005, which she has cited as a turning point for her on any number of issues. On a different place on the spectrum is another Iraq veteran: Vance, whose social media diplomacy has at least somewhat quieted MAGA's sturm und drang on another foreign entanglement. One theory from MAGA world: Laura Loomer, the influential far-right activist who met with Vance at the White House complex earlier this month, suggested to Playbook that Gabbard is 'posturing to undermine JD Vance' to serve her own 'presidential and electoral interests come 2028.' (In an interview with Megyn Kelly last month, Gabbard herself said of a 2028 bid that she 'will never rule out any opportunity to serve my country.') Presented with Loomer's quotes, a Gabbard spokesperson did not comment to Playbook but sent along positive X posts from Loomer last year about a Gabbard-Trump 'unity ticket.' Loomer has since soured on Gabbard, though she stopped short of calling for her resignation as DNI. 'This is the problem with coalition-building,' Loomer told Playbook. 'The Democrats who were awarded Cabinet positions in the Trump administration essentially participated in an extortion campaign to make a deal with the president.' Bannon, at least in our chat, was less pessimistic about the state of the MAGA coalition. 'Sunday was the 10th anniversary of [Trump] coming down the golden escalator,' he said. 'We've been through trials and tragedies. We've been through victories and defeats. We've been through great days and horrible days. The one thing our movement has is resilience.' ON THE HILL RECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES: Democrats are meeting with the Senate parliamentarian today, ahead of the crucially important Finance Committee's Byrd bath arguments on the reconciliation bill, which kick off Sunday, Punchbowl's Laura Weiss and Andrew Desiderio report. This process will decide what's fair game in the GOP's megabill — and Democrats are gearing up for a fight on roughly 60 tax and health provisions. Both Democratic and Republican aides are meeting with the parliamentarian beforehand. Odd man out: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, should technically be leading border security spending negotiations on the megabill — but it's really Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) running the show, POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs reports this morning. Some minor shade from Graham: 'Senator Paul usually votes 'no' and blames everybody else … [His] reducing the amount [for border security] didn't withstand scrutiny … The analysis was shallow.' Also on the outs: the SALT caucus, with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) calling up Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) on Wednesday to get a compromise, Weiss and Desiderio report. Mullin proposed keeping the House's coveted $40,000 cap but lowering the income threshold — but they're still not close to a deal, the Washington Examiner's Rachel Schilke writes. The fallout: The megabill's 'no tax on tips' provision isn't popular with parts of the restaurant industry, AP's Dee-Ann Durbin writes. The proposal doesn't address low pay for workers who don't get tips, like dishwashers and cooks, and the Independent Restaurant Coalition is asking Congress to reconsider. Sounding the alarm: The 'Little Lobbyists,' about two dozen children with disabilities and their families, warned members of Congress this week that the proposed cuts to Medicaid would be 'devastating,' NYT's Megan Mineiro and Margot Sanger-Katz report. Losing credit: Three-quarters of electricity generation projects that benefit from Biden-era clean energy tax credits are in GOP districts, but the megabill would functionally ax them, POLITICO's Kelsey Tamborrino and Jessie Blaeser report. Democrats and clean energy advocates have been ramping up pressure to save the projects ahead of next week's potential vote, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune said yesterday the language is 'not totally settled yet,' WSJ's Lindsay Wise and Jennifer Hiller report. SWORD OF DAMOCLES: Looming in the background is OMB Director Russ Vought, who's threatening to trigger a rare (and wonky) pocket rescission to codify DOGE's spending cuts. It's not playing well with some Republicans, POLITICO's Jennifer Scholtes reports this morning. 'Pocket rescissions are illegal, in my judgment,' Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said, 'and contradict the will of Congress.' But but but: 'Talking is one thing. We'll see if he actually does it,' said Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.). ALSO COMING NEXT WEEK: Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) is a growing favorite to win the caucus vote for House Oversight ranking member, but he's backed away from calling it 'generational change,' POLITICO's Nick Wu and Hailey Fuchs write. He's met with almost all the sitting House Dems and is branding himself 'less as an anti-Trump attack dog and more as a consensus-builder.' BEST OF THE REST BREAKING LATE LAST NIGHT: A federal appeals court officially allowed Trump to retain control of the National Guard in California, against the challenge from Gov. Gavin Newsom, the AP reports. It was a unanimous ruling for Trump from a panel that included Republican and Democratic appointees. But they did reject the administration's contention that even a National Guard federalization that was 'obviously absurd or made in bad faith' couldn't be overturned by the courts. Newsom vowed to 'press forward with our challenge' to Trump's deployment of the military. L.A. confidential: The city isn't finished with its turn in the national spotlight as the epicenter of the immigration debate: Vance could make a trip to Los Angeles this week, NBC's Jacob Soboroff scooped. Plans are in the works, though not final yet. … Separately, the LA Dodgers said yesterday that they'd blocked federal agents from entering their storied stadium, but DHS contested their version of events, the LA Times' Terry Castleman and Jack Harris report. Immigration files: A federal judge issued an injunction barring the Transportation Department from conditioning infrastructure funding to blue states on cooperation with immigration enforcement, per Reuters. … After the whiplash-inducing Trump pivots on whether to conduct ICE raids at agricultural and hospitality workplaces, border czar Tom Homan pledged they will continue, per Axios. But the raids have sent a chill through key industries, where many migrants aren't showing up to work, Bloomberg's Alicia Caldwell and colleagues report. Businesses have been left befuddled by the back and forth, AP's Paul Wiseman reports. How it's playing: Focus groups with swing-state Latino Trump voters show most of them still support the president, though there are some mixed opinions about mass deportations, NBC's Bridget Bowman and Ben Kamisar report. POLITICAL VIOLENCE WATCH: Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) said he'd been run off the road by a man who had issued death threats to him and waved a Palestinian flag. 'We know who you are, young man, and the police are going to be paying you a visit,' Miller warned in a video on X, decrying the 'blatant antisemitic violence.' More from The Hill … Meanwhile in NYC, police said a man had left a voicemail suggesting that he'd blow up Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's car (though he doesn't actually own one), per the N.Y. Daily News. The NYPD has launched a hate crimes investigation. The long tail of violence: Former Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), who survived the congressional baseball shooting, tells POLITICO's Ben Jacobs that he still carries a gun for safety eight years later. Meanwhile, WaPo's Paul Kane notes that the House doesn't have a plan for what happens if violence tips the balance of power — as it has in Minnesota. BLEEDING CUTS: As Trump proposes slashing the President's Malaria Initiative budget in half, a new study projects that fully funding it would stop close to 14 million malaria cases and save more than 100,000 lives, FT's Michael Peel reports. Domestically, NYT's Kate Morgan reports that black lung is making a comeback among younger coal miners — and many federal scientists who were trying to solve the health crisis have now been fired. PAGING VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: 'Washington has had it with Andriy Yermak,' by POLITICO's Amy Mackinnon and Jamie Dettmer: It's a 'rare point of bipartisan consensus … The second most powerful man in Ukraine, Yermak has been a particularly frustrating interlocutor for the Trump administration … [M]any in Washington have found Yermak to be uninformed about U.S. politics, abrasive and overly demanding with U.S. officials.' Yermak responded in a statement that he's doing all he can to save his country: 'If that means being considered 'challenging' by others — so be it.' SCOTUS FALLOUT: After the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender transition-related medical care for minors, NYT Magazine's Nicholas Confessore has a sprawling read on recriminations within the transgender rights movement. Some LGBTQ+ advocates long thought this was a losing case and questioned the strategy of bringing it to the high court — 'a tragic gamble' that perhaps 'set their movement back a generation.' The plaintiffs argue that Republican scapegoating of trans people is really to blame. Still, advocates think the ruling left them some legal room to maneuver, Reuters' Andrew Chung reports. THE WEEKEND AHEAD TV TONIGHT — PBS' 'Washington Week': Jonathan Karl, David Ignatius, David Sanger and Nancy Youssef. SUNDAY SO FAR … POLITICO 'The Conversation with Dasha Burns': Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). FOX 'Fox News Sunday': Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) … Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Supreme Court panel: Tom Dupree and Jonathan Turley. Panel: Matt Gorman, Stef Kight, Roger Zakheim and Juan Williams. CBS 'Face the Nation': Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) … Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) … Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter … retired Gen. Frank McKenzie. NBC 'Meet the Press': Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) … Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Panel: Lanhee Chen, Ashley Etienne, Jonathan Martin and Andrea Mitchell. ABC 'This Week': Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) … Steve Ganyard … Karim Sadjadpour … Chris Christie. CNN 'State of Union': Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Panel: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Kristen Soltis Anderson, Xochitl Hinojosa and Scott Jennings. NewsNation 'The Hill Sunday': Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) … Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.). Panel: Ian Swanson, James Hohmann, Molly Ball and Jasmine Wright. TALK OF THE TOWN Christopher Tattersall, an arborist who helped erect the two new White House flagpoles, found himself standing by the president as Donald Trump told reporters about a potential strike on Iran. A similar thing happened to players from the Italian soccer club Juventus. Timothy Weah, a U.S. soccer player in the room with Trump, said the experience was 'a bit weird' because 'I just want to play football, man.' But Tattersall said it was 'pretty cool.' Mark Cuban confirmed that Kamala Harris' campaign requested he submit VP vetting papers. He said he declined, because it would take too long and he wouldn't have been 'very good as the No. 2 person.' PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION: 'On Juneteenth, a march in D.C. that retraces the steps to freedom,' by WaPo's Ellie Silverman and Afia Barrie: 'It's been four years since Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday … But people marching in the nation's capital Thursday said they felt like the country was moving backward … People came alone, alongside friends or with their children to celebrate the same history they feel the administration is trying to erase.' — Miss Pixie's, the iconic vintage and antiques store in Adams Morgan, is closing its doors later this year. Antique lovers everywhere, we feel your pain. MEDIA MOVES — The Atlantic is adding Quinta Jurecic, Toluse Olorunnipa and Nancy Youssef as staff writers. Jurecic previously has been a contributing writer for The Atlantic and senior editor at Lawfare. Olorunnipa previously was a national political reporter at WaPo. Youssef previously was a national security correspondent at the WSJ. TRANSITION — Shefali Razdan Duggal is now a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a speaker for Creative Artists Agency. She recently retired as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Louis Nelson, an editor at POLITICO, and Becky Nelson, a managing director at FGS Global, welcomed Elizabeth Reeves Nelson this week. Lizzie joins big sister Juliet, who is delighted to have a baby sister, and older brother Jimmy, who is warming up to the idea. — Nicole (Ginis) Del Beccaro, a producer at Newsmax, and Thomas G. Del Beccaro, an author, historian and political commentator, welcomed Thomas Lucca Del Beccaro on Monday. He came in at 8 lbs, 12 oz and 19 1/2 inches. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro … Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) (5-0) … Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) … Adrienne Elrod … POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Mackenzie Wilkes … Ian Prior … CNN's Janie Boschma … Jeremy Wiggins … Brandon Arnold of the National Taxpayers Union … Tom Zigo of the MPA … Brad Howard of Corcoran Street Group … Ryan Walker of Heritage Action … Kristin White … Leon Rodriguez of Seyfarth Shaw … Ginger Loper … former Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) … Gisselle Reynolds of Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart's (R-Fla.) office … Sara Pearl Kenigsberg … Emma Tenery of Speaker Mike Johnson's office … Chris Grieco … Susan O'Neill … Kai Bernier-Chen of Trident GMG Send Playbookers tips to playbook@ or text us on Signal here. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Zack Stanton, deputy editor Garrett Ross and Playbook Podcast producer Callan Tansill-Suddath.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel-Iran Conflict: How another Middle East War is ripping MAGA apart - will Trump coalition survive?
As war clouds gather over Tehran, the 'America First' coalition fractures—from Carlson's outrage to Cruz's crusade, with Vice President JD Vance echoing the commander-in-chief's every word. The MAGA Movement Promised No More Wars—Now It's on the Brink of One Donald Trump didn't just win the 2024 election—he crushed it with a promise to rebuild America without stumbling into another foreign disaster. 'No more stupid wars' became doctrine. His base connected with this pledge, proud that he hadn't launched any new wars. But now, deep into 2025, that legacy is under pressure. In June, Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities—and Trump responded by warning Iran's leaders to surrender 'unconditionally,' advising Tehran's civilians to evacuate, and boasting that the U.S. had 'total control of the skies.' The MAGA movement—defined by its distrust of foreign entanglements—is experiencing an identity crisis. The coalition that brought Trump back to power is now split, torn between instincts that fueled his rise. The Anti-War Wing: Carlson, Bannon, Greene, Gaetz—and the MAGA Grassroots Tucker Carlson: MAGA's Foreign Policy Firewall Carlson has emerged as the vocal anti-war leader within MAGA circles. He warned that war with Iran could end Trump's presidency. During a dramatic on-camera exchange with Senator Ted Cruz, he challenged his hawkish views by questioning basic facts about Iran—its population, its sectarian landscape—and called out what he sees as dangerous ignorance dressed up as resolve. To Carlson, this is Iraq 2.0. And allowing MAGA to shift toward intervention is nothing short of a betrayal. Tucker and Ted Cruz Get Into Heated Debate on AIPAC and Foreign Influence Steve Bannon: The Loyal Dissenter Bannon warned that a war with Iran could destroy the MAGA coalition. Yet he tempered the warning with neutrality, noting that even dissenting voices would ultimately fall in line behind Trump. His message: the base doesn't want war, but Trump remains the centre of gravity. Marjorie Taylor Greene: Culture Warrior, Peace Advocate Greene has remained firm in her opposition to escalation. She's made it clear that another conflict in the Middle East would betray the MAGA movement's core promise: to put America first—at home, not in yet another desert war. Matt Gaetz: The Populist Sceptic Gaetz has voiced deep scepticism over renewed interventionism, warning that MAGA should not fall for recycled Bush-era framing. He's dismissed hawkish rhetoric and cautioned that any move toward war must have a clearly defined exit strategy and real American interests at stake. His message is clear: military might is not a substitute for strategic clarity. The War Caucus: Cruz, Rubio, Levin, Hannity—Old Doctrine, New Labels Ted Cruz: Confident, But Clueless? Cruz maintained a hawkish stance in public appearances, even as he fumbled through basic facts about Iran. He's called Iran a threat and said the U.S. must act if necessary. His slip—confusing Israeli actions with American ones—highlighted the extent to which some MAGA hawks are ready for conflict, regardless of the details. Marco Rubio: From Miami to Mossad Now serving as Secretary of State, Rubio has become the administration's leading voice for a hardline Iran policy. He insists that Iran must be denied not just weapons, but even enrichment capacity. His doctrine is simple: Iran cannot even come close to the nuclear threshold. Mark Levin and Sean Hannity: Reagan-era Revivalists Both Levin and Hannity have called for strong action. Levin has floated the idea of regime change. Hannity has embraced the logic of preemptive strikes. They represent the older, more muscular conservatism that sees war not as a failure—but as assertion of American strength. JD Vance: The Loyal Lieutenant, Not the Peacemaker Vice President JD Vance, once the populist realist, now speaks with tight discipline. He hasn't condemned the hawks. He hasn't echoed the doves. He simply follows the President's lead—repeating Trump's lines, offering no deviation, and avoiding ideological entanglement. Vance is not acting as a bridge between factions. He's acting as a megaphone for Trump. His silence is strategic. His discipline is total with the belief that if he holds on long enough, he's a shoo-in to the be Trump's successor. Trump's Game: Maximum Pressure, Minimum Commitment—So Far Trump has long weaponised ambiguity. He's sent American forces into visible alert, named Iranian leaders, threatened air superiority—and yet, he hasn't fired a shot. This is vintage Trump: threatening force without deploying it, posturing without committing. But the longer this game stretches, the more pressure mounts. Hawks want action. The base wants peace. And Trump, ever the tactician, wants both. MAGA's Iraq Flashback: The Ghost That Haunts Them Still The language is all too familiar. Talks of WMDs. Warning of rogue regimes. Accusations of appeasement. MAGA was born in rebellion against this rhetoric. Trump won hearts by denouncing the Iraq War as a historic failure. Now, those ghosts are back. And the question is whether the movement has truly changed—or merely changed labels. The 2025 Test: Can MAGA Survive a Middle East War? Trump's current coalition—rooted in working-class values, suburban nationalism, and youth anti-establishment sentiment—says no to foreign adventures. Most polls show his base is wary of intervention. But a gamble remains: if Trump escalates, that coalition could fracture. The internal pressure is mounting. MAGA's future depends on whether it keeps its promise—or betrays the fierce anti-war impulse that helped redefine American politics in 2025. The Real War Is Inside MAGA This is more than a foreign policy debate—it's an ideological showdown. Anti-war bloc: Carlson, Bannon, Greene, Gaetz—warning against another Iraq, urging focus at home. War caucus: Cruz, Rubio, Levin, Hannity—championing confrontation and regime change. Intercepted by: JD Vance—standing in lockstep with Trump, no deviation. At the centre: Trump—wielding threats and uncertainties while testing the elasticity of a fractured coalition. A strike on Iran may win a skirmish—but MAGA's soul hangs in the balance. The real question now isn't just 'should we go to war?'—it's 'can MAGA survive it?'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trick or TACO? Why has Trump set a 2-week deadline for Iran?
US President Donald Trump announced he will decide within two weeks whether the U.S. will intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict, hinting at potential negotiations while demanding "unconditional surrender." This delay could be a strategic move to deceive Iran, allow military repositioning, and give Israel time to weaken Iranian nuclear capabilities. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Also Read: The spy dossier that triggered Israel to rain missiles on Iran Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What could be Trump's 14-day Iran strategy? White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that President Donald Trump will decide whether the US should get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict within the next two weeks. "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said in the statement read out by decision to delay making any decision on the Iran-Israel conflict for two weeks points at his signature approach to deal making -- to make a hard decision and then dilute it or reverse it altogether. He has imposed and then reversed or brought down tariffs on numerous occasions. His style has led to coining of an acronym, TACO, meaning "Trump always chickens out," which was used to describe an investment approach in response to Trump's volatile tariff Trump going TACO with Iran? Trump had claimed on Wednesday that Iran has reached out to negotiate. 'Iran wants to negotiate,' he told reporters. But he quickly added, 'I said it's very late.' According to Trump, Iranian negotiators had even suggested visiting Washington. 'They suggested they come to the White House,' he said. 'But it's difficult.' He appeared unmoved by the offer. 'Two very simple words: unconditional surrender,' Trump said. 'I've had it.' That remark followed his earlier comment: 'Iran's got a lot of trouble and wants to negotiate,' before adding, 'They should have negotiated.'A day after signalling that he was not interested in negotiations with Iran any more, Trump has reversed his stance to say there is still scope for negotiations. Trump faces several challenges: a US involvement in the conflict can result in heavy damage to its assets and soldiers; there is the risk of a wider war breaking out with other players jumping in; and Trump's MAGA base is still unconvinced that the US should get drawn into another foreign finds himself in a complex situation where various pulls and pushes keep him undecided. However, his two-week ploy could actually be a well-planned move. Some experts have told The New York Times that it is also possible that Trump is trying to deceive the Iranians and get them to let their guard down and surprise them with a sudden move. 'That could be cover for a decision to strike, immediately,' James G. Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral and the former supreme U.S. commander in Europe, said on CNN. 'Maybe this is a very clever ruse to lull the Iranians into a sense of complacency.'While Trump keeps the world, including the Iranians, guessing whether the US would join Israel's bombardment of Iran's nuclear and missile sites, the US military has moved some aircraft and ships from bases in the Middle East that may be vulnerable to any potential Iranian attack, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday. One of the officials said aircraft that were not in hardened shelters had been moved from Al Udeid base in Qatar and naval vessels had been moved from a port in Bahrain, where the military's 5th fleet is per the NYT report, Trump's two-week deadline allows time for a second American aircraft carrier to get into place, giving US forces a better chance to counter the inevitable Iranian retaliation while Israel too will get more time to destroy the air defenses around the Fordo enrichment site, Iran's key nuclear site which can be destroyed only with American latest statement that there's still a substantial chance of negotiations could be aimed at pleasing his European allies. The European powers, who were not part of Iran's nuclear negotiations with the US, had grown increasingly frustrated by the US negotiating strategy in the talks. They deemed some of the demands unrealistic, while fearing the possibility of a weak initial political framework that would lead to open-ended negotiations. Two diplomats told Reuters there were no great expectations for a breakthrough in Geneva, where the European Union's foreign policy chief will also could also believe that the pounding of Iranian nuclear sites by Israel, which is likely to intensify in the two-week period, might soften Iranian position. The plan that the US last offered to Iran was a ban on all uranium enrichment. An Iran weakened by Israeli strikes and facing the threat of the US joining the conflict might be more willing to consider that now.(With inputs from agencies)
