Trump's Iran strikes backfire as approval plummets ahead of midterms

Public opposition to President Trump's military strikes on Iran has grown sharply since late February 2026. Only a quarter of Americans now support the operation, with approval ratings dipping below 40% ahead of the midterms. Meanwhile, international criticism has intensified, including strong condemnation from German leaders.

Domestically, political divisions remain stark. Right-wing podcasters claim to represent Trump's base, yet they form a small but vocal minority. At the same time, Democrats' focus on wealth inequality has alienated some working-class voters, who see it as an attack on success rather than a push for fairness.

The military campaign, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, began in late February 2026. Early reactions were cautious, with figures like Germany's CDU leader Friedrich Merz avoiding direct criticism. But by mid-March, concerns over strategy grew louder. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned of prolonged conflict, while the BfV intelligence agency flagged rising threats to US and Israeli-linked sites in Germany. Türkiye and other nations urged de-escalation, but the war expanded into cyber warfare with no clear resolution in sight.

On March 24, 2026, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier declared the strikes *illegal under international law*. Polls by Reuters/Ipsos showed just 25% of Americans—including many Republicans—backed the operation. Trump's overall approval ratings fell further, adding pressure before the midterm elections. Back in the US, political factions clashed over messaging. A handful of right-wing podcasters, though a tiny fraction of Trump's base, dominated media portrayals of *MAGA* supporters. Democrats and allied outlets framed them as representative of the entire movement, deepening polarisation. Working-class voters, meanwhile, reacted poorly to progressive attacks on wealth, viewing them as penalties for hard work rather than solutions for inequality. Populists on both sides have leaned on scapegoats to rally support. Trump's blend of economic and cultural grievances resonated more strongly than progressive alternatives. The 2023 murder of Sheridan Gorman by an undocumented immigrant, for instance, fueled debates over immigration enforcement and judicial failures. Within conservative circles, shifts in leadership and priorities drew attention. The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), once a policy-focused gathering, now platforms controversial GOP figures. Its chairman, Matt Schlapp, faced scrutiny after settling a 2024 sexual misconduct lawsuit for nearly $500,000. Tax records also revealed CPAC paid Schlapp $830,000 in 2023, raising questions about financial transparency. In a separate development, Silicon Valley financier Jim O'Neill was appointed director of the National Science Foundation. His mandate includes accelerating breakthroughs in American science, marking a push for innovation amid broader political turbulence.

The strikes on Iran have weakened Trump's standing at home and abroad, with dwindling public support and mounting international criticism. German officials, alongside other global voices, now openly challenge the operation's legality and strategy. Domestically, political factions continue to exploit divisions, from wealth debates to immigration concerns, as the midterms approach.

CPAC's shift toward controversy and financial questions around its leadership add to the uncertainty. Meanwhile, O'Neill's appointment signals a focus on scientific progress, though its impact remains to be seen amid ongoing conflicts.