President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday he is not rushing to finalize an agreement with Iran, despite mounting domestic pressure over the conflict. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump said, “We’re going to give this one shot. I’m in no hurry. Everyone is saying, ‘The midterms, I’m in a hurry.’ I’m in no hurry.”
His remarks came after months of stalled negotiations and a U.S. airstrike that was called off Monday at the request of Qatari, Saudi, and Emirati leaders. Trump added, “Ideally, I’d like to see few people killed as opposed to a lot. We could do it either way.”
The president’s latest comments appear to contradict his earlier tone. At the White House’s annual Congressional Picnic on Tuesday, Trump told lawmakers, “We’re going to end the war very quickly.” He also claimed Iran is desperate for a deal, saying, “They want to make a deal so badly, they’re tired of — this should have happened for 47 years.”
War Impact on Energy and the Economy
The conflict has roiled global energy markets, driving U.S. inflation higher. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas hit $4.55 ahead of Memorial Day weekend, a sharp increase that has hit consumers directly. The Trump administration’s broader economic policies are also under scrutiny as prices climb.
An Associated Press-NORC poll released Wednesday shows Trump losing ground with his own party on economic management. Only 63% of self-identified Republicans approve of his handling of the economy, down from 78% at the start of his second term. For more on this trend, see GOP Support for Trump's Economy Drops 15 Points as Inflation Bites, AP-NORC Finds.
Public Opinion Turns Against the War
A New York Times/Siena University poll released this week found 64% of Americans believe the Iran war was the wrong decision. Trump’s overall approval rating in that survey stands at 37%, a new low for his second term. The erosion of support poses a serious risk to Republicans as they try to hold their congressional majorities in the midterms.
The president’s shifting messaging on Iran—from promising a quick end to the war to now taking a slower approach—reflects the political tightrope he walks. Meanwhile, Trump's primary purge of GOP dissenters has consolidated his party base, but the broader electorate remains skeptical.
