Amid escalating gas prices and a prolonged conflict in Iran, President Donald Trump's staunch Republican base is showing signs of unease. While 63% of Republicans support airstrikes against Iranian military targets, only 20% back deploying American ground troops, according to a recent AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.
Economic Strain on American Workers
The war in Iran has driven up oil and gas prices significantly, adding financial pressure on American households. About 6 in 10 Republicans express concern about affording gas in the coming months. "We’re in a billion-dollar-a-day war," said Donnie Beson, a 68-year-old from Woodland Park, Colorado. "Trump needs to prioritize the issues that got him elected."
Trust in Trump Remains High
Despite mixed feelings about the war, trust in Trump remains robust among Republicans. About three-quarters approve of his handling of the presidency, and 70% support his approach to Iran. Sharon Fuller, a retired hospital analyst from Ocklawaha, Florida, called Trump a "huge patriot" but expressed reservations about the war. "I don’t really agree with the war, but on the other hand, I think it’s a necessity at this point," she said.
"Before the war I was just kind of like, ‘OK, like, I voted for him. I got to give him, like, some benefit of the doubt,’"
Stephen Hauss, a libertarian-leaning voter from Delaware, echoed similar sentiments, indicating that the war has shifted his views on Trump.
Broader Republican Sentiment
A majority of Republicans (81%) consider preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon a top priority, aligning with Trump's stated goals. However, only about half see replacing Iran’s government as a high priority. Quinnipiac University polling shows Republicans are more optimistic about the war’s global impact, with 8 in 10 believing it will make the world "safer," compared to one-third of overall voters.