Young Republicans more skeptical of Iran war, dividing Trump base [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated April 12, 2026, 2:19 p.m. ET


In casting his ballot for President Donald Trump, Alabama resident Gray Holland said a big factor was his belief that Trump would avoid another war in the Middle East. “He really ran on the concept of no wars,” Holland said.

Now the United States is at war with Iran and Holland, a 25-year-old Republican from Birmingham who works in sales for a flooring manufacturer said he’s not happy with the president’s decision.

“I’d rather not be involved in another foreign war with Iran or whoever else it may be in the Middle East at the time,” Holland said. “I just think we need to stay out of it and worry about ourselves.”

Polls show most Americans disapprove of the Iran war, and while older Republicans have largely stood behind Trump, younger ones are much more likely than their elders to oppose it.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/12/republicans-divided-age-support-iran-war-trump/89451934007/