Donald Trump’s acceptance of a two-week ceasefire with Iran has exposed fresh divisions within his Make America Great Again (Maga) movement, with some supporters expressing vindication and others accusing the US president of betrayal.
The US and Iran both claimed victory after agreeing to pause hostilities following more than a month of war. However, the Strait of Hormuz remained closed on Wednesday, and fighting continued as Israel launched its biggest attacks yet on Lebanon. Critics said Trump had suffered a humiliating strategic defeat, as Iran’s regime remains intact, still holds highly enriched uranium, and now exerts control over the strait.
Maga loyalists rushed to defend the president. Dinesh D’Souza, a right-wing commentator, posted: “Once again, Trump outsmarts the critics.” Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, insisted: “The Maga base trusts Trump – and trusts his decisions are grounded in real, actionable intelligence.” Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina posted: “Peace through STRENGTH. President Trump has shown the world yet again what this looks like.”
Other voices sounded defensive. Alex Bruesewitz, a political consultant, posted: “President Trump dismantled the Iranian regime, destroyed the vast majority of their military capabilities, and is now working toward a tremendous deal.” Jack Posobiec, a political activist, told Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast: “The scoreboard does not show that Iran was able to fight off the Americans.”
Some sought to discourage further concessions. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed faith in Trump but admitted the “supposed negotiating document, in my view, has some troubling aspects.” Fox News host Mark Levin said: “I trust President Trump. I know his heart. But this enemy is still the enemy. This thing’s not over.” Lawrence Jones, a Fox & Friends co-host, noted: “The president’s demands – we have not reached any of those objectives.”
