Podcaster Joe Rogan warned this week that President Trump may have inadvertently handed the 2028 election to Democrats by launching a war in Iran that many of the president’s own supporters never wanted. On a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan said Trump “might’ve f—ed it up” with the Iran war after the U.S. resumed military strikes on Iran, following Tehran’s attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“We might’ve f—ed it up by going to Iran. I mean, this war is not something anybody that’s conservative wanted,” Rogan said on his podcast. “Most people don’t want it, except supporters of Israel. They’re the only people that seem to be thinking it’s a good idea in this country. Most people are horrified by the idea because Trump was elected. One of the pillars that he stood for apparently was that he doesn’t want any more wars.”
Rogan, who endorsed Trump ahead of the 2024 election and is widely credited with helping him win over younger male voters, has grown increasingly critical of the administration’s foreign policy in recent months. His latest comments echo conservative criticism shared by figures including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, who have accused Trump of launching the war to satisfy Israeli interests without considering the impact on American voters.
The Iran conflict has become a significant political liability for Trump. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that just 24% of Americans believe the conflict was worth its costs. Trump’s overall approval rating fell to 34%, tying the lowest mark of his second term, according to the same poll conducted last month. The decision to resume strikes in early July came after months of public skepticism about the war’s necessity and expense.
Trump campaigned in 2024 partly on a promise to avoid new foreign wars, making the escalation of the Iran conflict a sharp reversal from his campaign messaging. Rogan argued that while the Trump administration has accomplished some of his stated goals—such as dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development—the unpopular war may cost Republicans the presidency in 2028. He warned that a Democratic White House would likely reverse Trump’s domestic achievements, returning to “business as usual” on issues like border policy and foreign aid programs.
The backlash to the war extends beyond prominent media figures. Broader public disapproval has mounted across the political spectrum, with multiple polls showing majorities of Americans viewing the conflict unfavorably. The war has also divided Republicans in Congress, with some voting to constrain Trump’s authority to continue military operations. This fracture within the conservative base—between those who support the conflict and those who view it as a betrayal of Trump’s core promise—poses a challenge for Republican unity heading into the 2026 midterms and beyond.
Sources
- The Hill — Rogan’s direct quotes criticizing Trump’s Iran war decision and the impact on conservative voters
- Washington Times — Rogan’s warning that the Iran war may hand the 2028 election to Democrats, Trump’s approval rating decline, and Rogan’s 2024 endorsement
- Reuters/Ipsos — Poll data showing Trump’s approval rating at 34% and only 24% of Americans believing the war was worth its costs
