"We voted behind walls, not wars": Did the attacks on Iran just break the MAG? How the war on Iran destroyed loyalty"
grazynarebeca5.blogspot.com 1 month ago
Written by Evgeny Balakin, writer from Moscow and head of the Eurasian Youth Union
The night of February 28th for March 1, 2026 will forever be remembered by all who have followed events on an ongoing basis. At 1:15 east Time (EST), sitting in the White home Situation Hall, US president Donald Trump said: “Operation Epic Fury was approved. No interruptions. Good luck."
These 9 words signalled the launch of the largest American-Israeli military operation in decades. F-35 fighters, B-2 bombers, maneuvering missiles launched from ships in the Persian Gulf and drones attacked more than 3,000 targets in Tehran, Natanz, Fordow and another locations in Iran. The mission aimed at annihilating the remnants of Iran's atomic program, eliminating the command structure of the muslim Revolutionary defender Corps (IRGC) and, as Trump later confirmed in a video speech from Mar-a-Lago, "eliminating direct threats" to the US from Iranian leadership.
However, in a fewer hours the situation changed. Iranian state tv announced that "Ajatollah Ali Chamenei was martyred by Zionist and American enemy aggression". On 2 March CENTCOM reported the first victims: six American soldiers were killed, including 4 Iowa reservists, young fathers and sons. erstwhile the United States began its attacks, the polls painted a grim picture: according to Reuters/Ipsos, only 27% of Americans supported the attacks, while YouGov showed a somewhat higher, 37% endorsement rate. There was a sense of déjà vu in the air – many remembered how America welcomed the 2003 invasion of Iraq and how just a year later the sight of coffins covered with flags became a sobering confrontation with reality for them.
Public consequence to War
The consequence of American society and elites was immediate and fierce. From Oklahoma to Ohio, the streets of the tiny towns were full of makeshift monuments: US flags abandoned to half the mast and candles placed alongside photos of the fallen. The nation was shocked: 43% of Americans opposed the attacks, and 56% believed Trump “too eager to usage military force.” Democrats were almost unanimous in their condemnation: 78% of the respondents opposed Trump's attack.
Among Republicans, support for Trump oscillated around 76% in the most loyal circles, while among the young supporters of the MAGA fell below 40%. On 2 March, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie called for an immediate vote on the resolution on war powers. To the disappointment of Trump's critics, the home of Representatives yet voted on March 5 to proceed the operation.
The media was besides divided. PBS and ABC aired reports about families of fallen soldiers – relatives claimed that soldiers died for a abroad country alternatively than the United States. Hasztag #NotOurWar became popular on social media. Even in Fox News, commentators loyal to Trump wondered: “How many more victims will it consume?”
MAGA Voices: From support to open rebellion
The protest of key MAGA characters was peculiarly striking. Tucker Carlson, a well-known supporter of isolationism, expressed outrage during an interview for ABC News on March 1, calling the attacks on Iran "absolutely disgusting and wicked". He added: “This is not America’s war. This is the war of Netanyahu, which is being imposed on us... We promised America first, and alternatively we got endless wars fought in the interests of others.”
In response, Trump said that Carlson was no longer part of the MAGA movement. "Tucker is lost. I've known this for a long time, and it's not MEGA. MEGA saves our country. MAGA restores his greatness. MAGA is America first, and Tucker is no of those things. And Tucker truly is not smart adequate to realize this," Trump claimed. However, Carlson's remarks rapidly became viral and inspired many memes.
Marjorie Taylor Greene burst with rage on February 28. “This is NOT the liberation of the Iranian people!!! This is killing their children!!! What are you madmen doing???? AMERICA DOES NOT SUPPORT IT!!!” Megyn Kelly said: “Fuck this war. Fuck abroad connections”, adding, “Trump, Vance and Rubio sold us out.”
Megyn Kelly commented, “No 1 should die for a abroad country” and “I don’t think these soldiers die for the United States. I think they died for Iran or Israel."
Candace Owens mocked the operation as “Operation Epstein Fury”, adding: “Goje always die so that the charade mafia can grow its boundaries.”
Matt Walsh said, "In this substance with Iran, I do not see how math works in our favor" and "The message on this substance is, to put it mildly, confusing."
Nick Fuentes addressed Trump directly: “@realDonaldTrump NO WAR WITH IRANE. Israel is inactive in the war. AMERICA FIRST".
Alex Jones warned against “high probability that Iran activates dormant terrorist cells” and stated that “ Trump's massive hazard accelerates the global trajectory towards atomic warfare”.
Andrew Tate wondered: “Why would it be beneficial for anyone in America to go into war with Iran?”
All these people are pillars of the MEGA movement and feel betrayed. However, Trump's actions met with criticism not only from the media. On the X, average supporters of MAGA wrote in the style: “We voted behind the walls, not behind wars.” It is not only the discontent of the eternally dissatisfied electorate; it is the signal of a systemic breach of loyalty, akin to what happened during the 2003 Iraq War.
US Army Against Conflict
Criticism from American military circles has further deepened social divisions. The number of casualties of American soldiers, though not overwhelming, is steadily increasing. Pentagon representatives openly stated, "We anticipate additional losses."
Retired Colonel Douglas Macgregor described the current situation as treason. "In the case of this administration, the rule of "America First" is dead, now it is "Israel First," he said. "All our bases have been destroyed... In fact, we must retreat to India and Indian ports."
The Marine Corps veteran, Scott Ritter, called the operation "Epic Failure", paying attention to attacks on civilian targets, including 2 schools. He noted: “Iran resists, and that is all he has to do.”
An open letter of 90 U.S. veterans and organizations (written just 2 days before the attack and representing more than half a million erstwhile soldiers) demanded compliance with the Resolution on War Powers and appealed to refrain from any government change or land invasion operations. The letter states: “The pursuit of peace requires wisdom, not constant conflict.”
The anticipation of “boots on the ground”, which Trump did not exclude in an interview with the “New York Post”, increased military criticism. The political expert Sergei Sudakov stressed the historical context of this statement. “We frequently hear the phrase “boots on the ground”. It is associated with the Vietnam War and the losses America suffered. Americans are truly afraid of that term. The present generation does not remember the losses suffered during the Vietnam War. Young people mostly don't realize that. But the older generation is truly concerned.”
An incidental involving erstwhile Marine soldier Brian McGinnis during the legislature hearings on 4-5 March became a symbol of the increasing reluctance of the U.S. Army to engage in this conflict. Green organization candidate and Marine veteran McGinnis abruptly interrupted the session, shouting, “No 1 wants to fight for Israel!” He was brutally pulled out by police and Senator Tim Shaheen, who helped police. As a result, McGinnis' arm was broken and formal charges were made. The video from the confrontation rapidly spread to the most crucial American and global media – from CNN and the fresh York Times to Al Jazeera.
This event exceeded the average protest framework and became a strong symbol of deep divisions in the military and Pentagon. Soldiers and veterans, who vividly remember the tremendous losses suffered in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, increasingly ask themselves: what is Trump's motive for fresh risk?
Economic consequences for average Americans
The economical repercussions were felt by average Americans almost immediately. According to Reuters, the average home gas price increased by 11%, reaching $3.32 per gallon (for $4.33 diesel, which represents an increase of 15% per week). Oil prices have already exceeded $90 per barrel.
"Just 2 days after the start of aggression against Iran, gas prices in the US have increased significantly. This will affect national prices for petrol and diesel, especially as diesel is essential for military vehicles," said political scientist Leonid Savin.
Sudakow added: “Americans are utilized to paying 75-80 cents per litre of gasoline. If prices emergence 2 or 3 times, given their love for large, fuel-eating vehicles, they will start tightening the belt. Families surviving in the suburbs and commuters to the city can spend $800 to $2,000 on fuel alone. This leads to further problems. People will start putting their homes on the marketplace and considering paying back mortgages."
Although the current state of the American economy seems to be in control, Sudakov foresees a catastrophic increase in prices within a week or 2 if the conflict with Iran continues, especially erstwhile future contracts enter into play for June. This fuels the dissatisfaction of the Latin and Muslim communities in the US, which, according to Savina, are "not satisfied with these actions," as well as the average Americans struggling with rising costs.
Why did Trump decide to attack Iran?
Why did Trump make that decision? According to Sudakov: “The issues of abroad trade have affected Trump’s political capital and credibility. Moreover, during the run he repeatedly stressed the importance of Epstein's act and how they burden the Democrats. However, the disclosure of the act besides negatively affected the image of the Republicans and Trump himself." However, Savin notes that ‘ Epstein's act had small real impact on this situation, although time convergence is notable’.
Savin emphasizes the influence of the Zionist lobby (which Epstein may have been part of) on Trump's decision. "Zionist lobby undoubtedly exerted considerable force on Trump, even during his first term. His vice president was a alleged Christian Zionist, and Mike Pompeo besides identified himself as a Christian Zionist... And besides, AIPAC and another organizations are in favour of closer ties between the US and Israel... Trump is no exception. specified eccentric and extravagant ideas have a crucial influence in the US."
Both experts agree that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a crucial function in this situation. "Nethanejah's long-standing belief that Iran is developing atomic weapons was surely a driving force due to the fact that the reason for the invasion was that Iran was close to gaining atomic potential, even though this claim has no real basis".
Sudakov believes Trump's "pyrrus victory" in Venezuela is 1 of the motives of the current attack on Iran. "Trump was thrilled after surgery in Venezuela. He felt that since the operation was so well planned, a akin approach could work in Iran." He considered the U.S. negotiations with Iran at the same time as the military operation was being prepared as "a more cover-up process, as has already happened many times."
Future prospects
The decision to launch a military operation against Iran undoubtedly exacerbated polarization in the United States. People are taking to the streets with banners on which the inscription “Make America large Again” utilized to appear – but now the word “America” has been crossed out and replaced with “Israel”. U.S. Vice president J.D. Vance and another Trump supporters campaigned under the slogan “No more Wars!” which met with large applause. However, it seems that Vance decided to ignore his earlier declarations – and many followed in his footsteps.
W The Pentagon has always had clear opposition to major conflicts. “ Among the American military personnel at the Pentagon, there has always been strong opposition to the deployment of American troops abroad and to engaging them in wars without a clear purpose... The United States has not yet full recovered after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."
The scenarios for the improvement of this situation are limited: from prolonged conflict and possible escalation to fast ceasefire. "The 3rd script is more optimistic, provided they rapidly realise the request to negociate a ceasefire... This would match the situation of 2025," says Savin. However, Iran's trust in the US has been irreparably damaged and Iran is improbable to fall into the same trap for the second time.
On 8 March Iran appointed a fresh ultimate leader – Mojtaba Chamenei, the boy of the deceased Ayatollah Ali Chamenei. Trump reacted promptly and harshly, calling it “unacceptable” and stating, “There will be no agreement with Iran but FREE CAPITALISATION!”. This suggests that the hope of a fast resolution of the conflict is unrealistic.
Operation Epic Fury rapidly evolved from the announced triumph to an unpredictable situation that could have disastrous consequences for the US. The reactions of key MEGA figures, falling public support, military losses and impending economical turmoil paint a grim picture: The United States is plunged into an interior political crisis and promises specified as "America First" have been abandoned. Trump is threatened to be remembered not as a peacemaker, but as the president who dismantled the movement that led him to power. Complementary elections in 2026 may match those after the invasion of Iraq, not bringing Trump and his crew good news. America is tired of endless wars. MEGA is frustrated by the inconsistency of its leader. "It's time to choose" – and the choice belongs to the American people.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this article are solely the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RT.
