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The Wire
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Wire
As Trump Mulls Iran Intervention, MAGA Is Angry
Weeks after his with Elon Musk, US president Donald Trump is now facing unprecedented backlash from other erstwhile admirers – influential figures in the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. Trump has invited the wrath of his most reliable support bastion over a likely US military intervention in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. On Tuesday, Trump made an early exit from the G7 meeting in Canada, leading to many including the French president Emmanuel Macron to speculate that he is working on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. However, Trump had other plans. He and said that he's working on something even bigger. The same day Trump announced on his Truth Social account that 'we have total control over Tehran's skies.' In a series of follow-up posts, Trump demanded a ' total surrender ' from Tehran whose ten million residents he had told to leave the city a day earlier. He also said that the plan to assassinate Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei was not off the table. On Wednesday, however, he seemed to backtrack slightly, making his stand ambiguous. 'I may do it. I may not…Nobody knows what I am going to do,' he said at a White House event. And yesterday (June 19), he said that he will decide in two weeks. But Trump's initial plan of directly getting involved in Iran militarily and then the eventual suspense over the course of his actions haven't gone down well with many in his own support base – popular traditionalist influencers and media figures who had rallied behind his MAGA politics. Conservative influencer and author Charlie Kirk wrote on X, 'No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy.' Kirks suspects that a US intervention in Iraq would cause a massive rift among MAGA. It could 'disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency,' he wrote. Consider what Trump's former campaign strategist Steve Bannon told Tucker Carlson on the Bannon War Room podcast to contextualise why MAGA – a term that has also come to mean his support base – is upset with Trump. Bannon said the three prominent promises from Trump in the run-up to his election were to 'stop the forever wars, seal the border and deport the illegal aliens invading our country, and redo commercial deals around trade and bring back high value manufacturing jobs.' He added that all three promises are being broken. Carlson has been even more unrelenting. His defiant opposition to an American military intervention in Iran is receiving tens of millions of views and is slowly turning into a headache for Trump who called Carlson '' in a post on Truth Social and later said, 'I don't know what Tucker Carlson is saying. Let him go get a television network and say it so that people can watch.' , 'The real divide isn't between people who support Israel and people who support Iran or the Palestinians. The real divide is between those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it – between warmongers and peacemakers. Who are the warmongers? They would include anyone who's calling Donald Trump today to demand air strikes and other direct US military involvement in a war with Iran.' Carlson's most significant intervention till now is his viral takedown of Senator Ted Cruz. In an interview on the Tucker Carlson Network, he asked Ted Cruz, a staunch supporter of US intervention, to point out the ethnic mix of Tehran. The senator had no answers. He asked Cruz the total population of Iran. Cruz couldn't answer this as well. At one point, Tucker mocked a rather clueless Cruz for saying the US is bound by the Bible to protect Israel to which Carlson sarcastically asked if the Biblical reference to Israel is the same as the modern Israeli state run by Netanyahu. 'Yes,' Cruz replied. Carlson also asked Cruz if he agreed that Iran was going to assassinate Trump to which Cruz replied, 'Yes, but they don't have good hitmen.' Carlson received flak from Trump and other influential MAGA supporters like influencer Laura Loomer who said, 'The Muslim Brotherhood, HAMAS, and foreign lobbyists are now all defending @TuckerCarlson and Iran…You can tell a lot about a man by the people who come to his defense and the company he keeps.' She accused Carlson of being funded by Qatar, a charge Carlson's team called a lie. She threatened to snitch on influencers criticising Trump and personally deliver such screenshots to the president. But Carlson has received support from many MAGA influencers. Alex Jones, the host of the infamous show InfoWars wrote, "Trump attacking @TuckerCarlson for not supporting a new WORLD WAR is not something any sane person should support! This is the stuff NIGHTMARES are MADE of…' Podcaster Theo Von who has hosted Trump on his show and 'anti-woke' YouTuber Candace Owens have spoken against intervention too. Von said that Israel 'cannot be trusted." Owens said, 'the same people say Iran can't have a nuke because they are religious fundamentalists are the same people who hold the heretical belief that we must support Israel's non-stop campaign of murder, blackmail, land theft bombing & starvation of the innocent because 'God will bless those who bless the 1948 created nation of Israel'.' In a separate post on X alleging US involvement in Iran, she wrote, 'Aaron Bushnell self-immolated back in 2024 to alert the American people to the fact that our military was involved in the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. He committed suicide to reveal that truth.' Although there are republican senators like Majorie Green Taylor, Josh Hawley, and Rand Paul who've disapproved of Trump's intervention in Iran, the backlash from influencers is more significant for two reasons. First, Trump came to power arguing that the big media – TV and newspapers – is compromised and serves the agenda of 'forever wars.' Musk has repeatedly said he bought X to break the cycle of media control. In the run-up to his election, Trump appeared on several podcasts and online spaces with the same people who are now criticising him. While the likes of Loomer have defended Trump, more and more loyalists are jumping ship over Iran. Interestingly, Musk has neither expressed support nor opposed Trump's comments this time. But his old tweets against wars and US intervention in West Asia have resurfaced. This week US vice-president J.D. Vance announced to his four million followers on X that he's moving to Bluesky, X's rival platform in the US, which Vance said 'has become the place to go for common-sense political discussion and analysis.' Earlier, in a long post on X, Vance defended Trump and said that he's shown great restraint. He said, 'Having seen this up close and personal, I can assure you that he is only interested in using the American military to accomplish the American people's goals. Whatever he does, that is his focus.' Replying to Vance, the former UFC champ and MAGA supporter Sean Strickland , 'We want you to run for president. If you go through with this and tow () the line, you will lose all support.' Amid escalating opposition and the fear of yet another 'forever war' spilling across West Asia, Trump has backed down from his initial suggestion of a likely US military intervention in Iran. However, can the possibility of a US intervention still be ruled out? It's hard to predict what happens next but we'll get the answers soon. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Sajid Tarar? The Pakistani-American who arranged the Donald Trump–Asim Munir White House meeting amid global tensions
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, for a lunch meeting at the White House. This was the first time an American president welcomed Pakistan's top military leader for such an occasion. The meeting lasted over an hour and included the presence of Pakistan's intelligence head, Lt Gen Asim Malik. According to reports, the meeting was coordinated by Sajid Tarar, a Pakistani-American businessman based in Maryland. The meeting came during a period of heightened international tension, as Trump is expected to make a key decision within two weeks on whether the U.S. will become involved in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Sajid Tarar: Republican insider and community leader Sajid Tarar, the man behind arranging the high-level meeting, has been an active voice in Republican circles for years. A resident of the Baltimore-Washington area, Tarar is known for his association with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and founded the group "American Muslims for Trump." His proximity to the Trump administration became evident when his son secured a position at the U.S. State Department during Trump's first term. Outside of politics, Tarar runs the Centre for Social Change, a nonprofit based in Baltimore. He has also worked with various business groups and finance teams for state governors. In recent years, he has advocated for peaceful relations between India and Pakistan—a rare position within the diaspora community. Tarar moved to the U.S. in the 1990s and has since become a prominent Republican figure among Muslim Americans. What happened during the Trump-Munir lunch? During the Cabinet Room meeting, Trump publicly thanked General Munir for playing a role in preventing further escalation between India and Pakistan. 'Reason I had him here was I wanted to thank him for not going into the war and ending it,' Trump stated. US President Donald Trump | Credit: X The meeting took place just days after India and Pakistan agreed to end hostilities on May 10, following several days of heavy missile and drone attacks across the border. The lunch also unfolded against the backdrop of rising violence in West Asia, particularly the growing Israel-Iran conflict. On Thursday, Pakistan reiterated its opposition to Israeli airstrikes on Iran, calling them violations of international law. 'It imperils the entire regional security structures, it impacts us deeply,' said Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, the conflict escalated further with Iranian missiles striking a hospital and residential areas in Israel, injuring 240 people. In retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran's nuclear site at Arak, though Iranian authorities stated there was no radiation threat from the damage. As U.S. foreign policy hangs in balance, Sajid Tarar's role in bridging diplomatic ties highlights his growing influence behind the scenes.
Iraqi News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Trump to make Iran war decision in next two weeks
Washington – US President Donald Trump said Thursday he will decide whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran within the next two weeks as there is still a 'substantial' chance of negotiations to end the conflict. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out a message from Trump, saying there had been 'a lot of speculation' about whether the United States would be 'directly involved' in the conflict. '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. The announcement could lower the temperature and give space for diplomacy, after a fevered few days in which Trump said Iran's leader was an 'easy target' and vowed that Tehran could never have a nuclear weapon. But Leavitt also told reporters that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in the space of a 'couple of weeks.' 'Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon,' she said. Trump said on Wednesday that Iran had asked to send officials to the White House to negotiate a deal on its nuclear program and end the conflict with Israel. Iran denied it would do so. Leavitt would not give details of what had led Trump to believe that negotiations with Iran were possible, but denied he was putting off a decision. 'If there's a chance for diplomacy the president's always going to grab it, but he's not afraid to use strength as well,' Leavitt said. The spokeswoman said 'correspondence has continued' between Washington and Tehran when asked about reports that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff had been in touch with Iran's foreign minister. – 'Trust in President Trump' – Trump held his third meeting in three days in the White House's highly secured Situation Room on Thursday as he continued to mull whether to join Israel's bombing campaign. The US president had said on Wednesday that 'I may do it, I may not do it' when asked if he would take military action against Iran. Trump had spent weeks pursuing a diplomatic path towards a deal to replace the nuclear deal with Iran that he tore up in his first term in 2018. But he has since backed Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and military top brass, while mulling whether to join in. A key issue is that the United States is the only country with the huge 'bunker buster' bombs that could destroy Iran's crucial Fordo Iranian nuclear enrichment plant. The White House meanwhile urged Trump supporters to 'trust' the president as he decides whether to act. A number of key figures in his 'Make America Great Again' movement, including commentator Tucker Carlson and former aide Steve Bannon, have vocally opposed US strikes on Iran. Trump's promise to extract the United States from its 'forever wars' in the Middle East played a role in his 2016 and 2024 election wins. 'Trust in President Trump. President Trump has incredible instincts,' Leavitt said.
First Post
11 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Trump Faces MAGA Split Over Possible US Strikes on Iran Amid Crisis Firstpost America
Trump Faces MAGA Split Over Possible US Strikes on Iran Amid Crisis | Firstpost America|N18G Trump Faces MAGA Split Over Possible US Strikes on Iran Amid Crisis | Firstpost America|N18G As the Israel-Iran conflict enters day seven, pressure mounts inside the White House. Key Trump allies — Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson — are urging restraint, warning against U.S. military intervention. Steve Bannon says more war would 'tear the country apart.' Trump has also sparred with his spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard. Meanwhile, Trump remains non-committal on a possible strike. Besides, Republican hawks have also pushed for aggressive action. A recent poll shows just 19% of Trump's supporters back US involvement, deepening the divide within his Make America Great Again movement. Watch for more. See More
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Trump keeps world guessing on war decision
US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for the new US ambassador to China, former US Senator David Perdue, at the White House in Washington, DC, US on May 7, 2025. Photo: Reuters/ File US President Donald Trump said Thursday he will decide whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran within the next two weeks as there is still a "substantial" chance of negotiations to end the conflict. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out a message from Trump, saying there had been "a lot of speculation" about whether the United States would be "directly involved" in the conflict. "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. The announcement could lower the temperature and give space for diplomacy, after a fevered few days in which Trump said Iran's leader was an "easy target" and vowed that Tehran could never have a nuclear weapon. But Leavitt also told reporters that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in the space of a "couple of weeks." "Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon," she said. Leavitt would not give details of what had led Trump to believe that negotiations with Iran were possible, but denied he was putting off a decision. "If there's a chance for diplomacy the president's always going to grab it, but he's not afraid to use strength as well," Leavitt said. The spokeswoman said "correspondence has continued" between Washington and Tehran when asked about reports that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff had been in touch with Iran's foreign minister. Trump held his third meeting in three days in the White House's highly secured Situation Room on Thursday as he continued to mull whether to join Israel's bombing campaign. The White House meanwhile urged Trump supporters to "trust" the president as he decides whether to act. A number of key figures in his "Make America Great Again" movement, including commentator Tucker Carlson and former aide Steve Bannon, have vocally opposed US strikes on Iran. Trump's promise to extract the United States from its "forever wars" in the Middle East played a role in his 2016 and 2024 election wins. "Trust in President Trump. President Trump has incredible instincts," Leavitt said. Meanwhile, Israel bombed nuclear targets in Iran on Thursday and Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel after hitting an Israeli hospital overnight, as a week-old air war escalated with no sign yet of an exit strategy from either side. Following the strike that damaged the Soroka medical centre in Israel's southern city of Beersheba, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran's "tyrants" would pay the "full price". "Are we targeting the downfall of the regime? That may be a result, but it's up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom," Netanyahu said. "Freedom requires these subjugated people to rise up, and it's up to them, but we may create conditions that will help them do it." Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been instructed to intensify strikes on strategic-related targets in Tehran in order to eliminate the threat to Israel and destabilise the "Ayatollah regime". As darkness fell on Thursday evening, Iranian media reported air defences engaging "hostile targets" in northern Tehran. Israel's sweeping campaign of airstrikes aims to do more than destroy Iran's nuclear centrifuges and missile capabilities. It seeks to shatter the foundations of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's government and leave it near collapse, Israeli, Western and regional officials said. Netanyahu wants Iran weakened enough to be forced into fundamental concessions on permanently abandoning its nuclear enrichment, its ballistic missile programme and its support for militant groups across the region, the sources said. Three diplomats told Reuters that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since last week. In an apparent reference to the US, Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Thursday it would use a different strategy if a "third party" joined Israel in the war. STRAIT OF HORMUZ THREAT Earlier, Israel said it had struck Iran's Natanz, Isfahan and Khondab nuclear sites. It initially said it had also hit Bushehr, site of Iran's only functioning nuclear power plant, but a spokesperson later said it was a mistake to have said this. An Iranian diplomat told Reuters Bushehr was not hit and Israel was engaged in "psychological warfare" by discussing it. Any attack on the plant, near Arab neighbours and housing Russian technicians, is viewed as risking nuclear disaster. On Thursday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it had launched combined missile and drone attacks at military and industrial sites linked to Israel's defence industry in Haifa and Tel Aviv. Israel reported missiles launched from Iran towards its territory. Iran has been weighing its wider options in responding to the biggest security challenge since its 1979 revolution. A member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Presidium, Behnam Saeedi, told the semi-official Mehr news agency Iran could consider closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of daily global oil consumption passes.
