President Donald Trump's interim agreement ending the war with Iran has drawn criticism from his own voter base since its announcement on June 14. The deal, which reopened the Strait of Hormuz to traffic, temporarily lifts oil sanctions on Iran and establishes a $300 billion fund for the country's reconstruction.
According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, only a quarter of Americans believe the war with Iran was worth its cost. A majority fear the ceasefire reached with Tehran will not be lasting. Monthly interviews with 18 of Trump's 2024 voters reveal that doubts about the deal are widespread and could hurt Republicans in the November midterm elections.
Terry Alberta, a 65-year-old pilot from Michigan, expressed his frustration, saying, "We need to truly weaken the Iranian regime, not just hit them a bit, pull back, and let them rebuild." Juan Rivera, a 26-year-old from near San Diego, recalled Trump's criticism of his predecessors for negotiating with terrorists and said, "Now he's done the same thing."
While Rivera still plans to vote mostly for Republican candidates, he said many Trump supporters are disappointed with the president's handling of the war and are reluctant to support their party in the midterms. "A lot of people say, 'Why should I vote when the president isn't keeping his promises?'" Rivera said, adding that this particularly affects Latino voters.
Steve Egan, a 65-year-old seller of promotional products in Florida, was already distancing himself from Trump after the president's tariffs hurt his business. Annoyed by the war's further increase in gas and other product prices, Egan said Trump's endorsement for candidates in the midterms would now be a "kiss of death."
Brandon Neumeister, a 37-year-old corrections officer in Pennsylvania, argued the conflict only benefited oil companies. Having already grown disenchanted with politics before the war, Neumeister said he does not plan to vote in November.
Robert Billups, a 35-year-old from Washington state, expressed cautious optimism that the peace agreement would last but believes the war has exposed America to more hostility rather than making it safer. Disillusioned with Vice President JD Vance, who led U.S. negotiations, Billups said of the midterms, "This time I'll vote for whoever offers the better strategy, regardless of party."
Some loyal Trump voters believe the president has secret plans to bring Iran to its knees. Kate Mottl, a 63-year-old secretary at a municipal office in a Chicago suburb, believes "destroying" the Tehran regime is the only way to prevent future conflicts. Rich Somora, a 62-year-old engineer in North Carolina, said he believes Trump has "more aggressive plans" and added, "I can't believe after all this he won't find a way to get rid of the mullahs." However, he noted he would start worrying if Iran's clerics remain in power for another month.
Joyce Kenney, a 74-year-old retiree in Arizona, said she supports lifting sanctions and believes restoring Iran's ability to trade will pressure its leaders to adhere to the ceasefire. However, she stressed that the $300 billion reconstruction fund should not be America's responsibility.
A White House spokesperson said Trump's "success on the battlefield and at the negotiating table will strengthen American security for years to come." Meanwhile, diplomats and analysts say the war has further strengthened Iran's clerical leadership.
