MAGA Dissidents Plot 2028 Anti-War Push After 18 U.S. Deaths in Iran Conflict
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 19
MAGA Dissidents Plot 2028 Anti-War Push After 18 U.S. Deaths in Iran Conflict
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 19
Summary
Joe Kent, five months after quitting the Trump administration over Iran, said MAGA war critics are trying to turn their split with Trump into an organized political force for future elections.
A Maine meeting at Tucker Carlson’s home brought together Kent, Rep. Thomas Massie and former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to test options ranging from remaking the GOP to using an existing third party.
Kent said a fresh party faces steep ballot-access costs in all 50 states, and none of the main figures wants to run, making a Trump-style effort to “hijack” the Republican Party the likelier path.
The organizing drive comes as the war nears six months, a June peace deal has collapsed, Trump said Aug. 18 there are no talks with Iran, and 18 U.S. service members have been killed.
Polling still shows most Republicans backing Trump on Iran, but Kent argues the conflict is hurting Trump’s 39% approval rating and could reshape the GOP’s 2028 foreign-policy debate.