President Donald Trump's administration is aware of the political consequences of the war in Iran, but the president himself may not fully grasp the extent of the damage, according to New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman. Haberman, a co-author of the book “Regime Change,” stated that while Trump's advisers understand the negative impact the conflict has had on his base, the president's personal absorption of this information is a different matter.
Haberman suggested that Trump is less attuned to domestic political considerations during his current term compared to his first. She noted that Trump officials are reportedly aiming to have the Iran war "off the front pages by September," indicating a concern within the White House about its sustained visibility and unpopularity.
This sentiment was echoed by an anecdote shared by an observer during the Fourth of July holiday, who reported not seeing a single Trump flag while at the shore, a notable absence that raised questions about the reaction of the MAGA base and Republican voters to the ongoing conflict. The observer questioned whether the administration understood these reactions.
Haberman indicated that the administration is concerned about the situation and actively working to manage its public perception, but emphasized that Trump himself is not as focused on the political fallout as his team is.