NEW YORK (AP).— A year and a half after assuming the presidency with the promise of reducing costs and avoiding international conflicts, Donald Trump faces an adverse scenario marked by rising energy prices, an escalating war with Iran and political erosion that threatens the position of his party heading to the midterm elections.
The conflict, which began after coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory more than a month ago, has generated uncertainty in public opinion and tensions within the country itself. Republican Party. The recent crash of a US fighter plane in Iranwith a rescued crew member, contradicted the president’s statements about the supposed military weakness of Tehran.
During a primetime message from the White House, Trump affirmed that his administration is “on track” to meet military objectives shortly, although he simultaneously warned that the attacks will continue in the coming weeks.
“Thanks to the progress we have made, I can say tonight that we are on track to soon complete all military objectives,” he declared. However, he added that “we are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two or three weeks.”
The speech failed to dispel doubts about the direction of the conflict or its economic impact. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil transits, has caused an increase in fuel prices. A gallon of gasoline averaged $4.08, almost a dollar more than at the end of the previous administration, according to the American Motorists Association.
At the political level, Republican strategists warn of a complex scenario. Neil Newhouse, the party’s pollster, anticipated an adverse electoral context: “A very difficult November is coming,” he said, referring to the risk of losing control of Congress. Privately, Republican leaders acknowledge that the House of Representatives could change hands and that the Senate is also in contention.
The Iran issue has generated internal divisions. While figures like the senator Lindsey Graham support the presidential strategy and describe the message as “the best speech I could have hoped for,” other leaders have chosen to avoid the issue in public. Even the former representative Marjorie Taylor Greene openly criticized the government’s approach. “All I heard was WAR, WAR, WAR. Nothing to lower the cost of living”, he expressed on social networks.
I wanted so much for President Trump to put America First.
That’s what I believed he would do.
All I heard from his speech tonight was WAR WAR WAR.
Nothing to lower the cost of living for Americans.
Nothing to reduce our near $40 trillion in debt.
Nothing to save Social Security,…— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) April 2, 2026
The wear and tear is also reflected in public opinion. According to a survey of AP-NORC, around 6 out of 10 adults consider that military action has gone too far, and a similar proportion opposes the deployment of troops to Iranian territory. Only about a third approve of the president’s handling of the conflict.
In general terms, the president’s approval remains around 40%, without significant variations since the beginning of his second term. This stability at relatively low levels limits their political margin to push for controversial decisions.
Analysts compare the situation with past conflicts. Unlike George W. Bush, who obtained initial support after the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Trump has failed to consolidate broad support in the early stages of the conflict. The Republican Strategist Ari Fleischer He noted that the president will be evaluated mainly by the results of the war rather than by his narrative. “Ultimately, you will be judged by your results,” he said.
Time is emerging as a determining factor. A quick resolution could mitigate the political and economic impact, especially if oil prices are reduced and markets stabilize.
However, a prolongation of the conflict would imply greater human costs, fiscal pressure—given the Pentagon’s request for an additional $200 billion—and increasing political wear and tear.
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