At 80, Trump’s grip falters: stalled Iran war, cracked alliances and congressional revolt
Ahead of his 80th birthday, Donald Trump confronts a war in Iran that has dragged on for nearly four months, strained relations with Israel, and growing dissent from his own party in Congress.
In the weeks before his 80th birthday this Sunday, Donald Trump has been unusually quiet, his schedule once packed with public appearances now dominated by closed-door meetings. The US president faces a cascade of crises at home and abroad, and his aura of dominance appears to be ebbing.
The Iran war drags on
When the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on 28 February, the White House expected a campaign lasting four to six weeks. Now, nearly four months later, no end is in sight. Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, choking a vital oil trade artery, and Trump’s repeated predictions of an imminent agreement have come to nothing. He recently posted in the style of a live blog that he was heading to the Situation Room to make a decision, but no decision followed. On Thursday he dangled the possibility that a deal might be signed this weekend, perhaps in Europe, yet nothing is certain.
- US and Israel begin military operations against Iran
- Administration says conflict will last four to six weeks
- Iran blockades Strait of Hormuz, disrupting oil trade
- House passes Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions package, increasing pressure on Trump
- Trump hints at possible Iran deal signing over the weekend in Europe
Alliance with Israel under strain
Behind the scenes, the partnership with Israel is fraying. Trump has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint, but Israeli strikes have continued on a second front in Lebanon.
The public confusion over the war’s goals, and the shifting justifications from Washington, have deepened the sense of drift.There has been a break in the once firm alliance.
Congress rebels
The most acute danger for Trump may lie not overseas but on Capitol Hill. Even Republicans in the House of Representatives are pressing for a swift end to the Iran war. Recently the chamber passed a Democratic-led package of Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions, with substantial GOP support, and used it to reaffirm the NATO alliance. If the bill lands on Trump’s desk, it would force him to endorse the very defense pact he has criticized for not helping enough in the Strait of Hormuz.
War fatigue and a party divided
Americans are weary of war, and Trump’s approval ratings have been poor for some time. His early pledge to avoid new conflicts—a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign—has been replaced by a Pentagon motto of “peace through strength,” and he now denies ever promising to stay out of foreign wars. The White House’s erratic messaging and the president’s shifting timelines have unsettled even his allies, and the planned extravagant birthday celebration with cage fights in front of the White House may do little to restore his authority.
Looking ahead
The next days could be pivotal. If an Iran deal materializes over the weekend, Trump might reclaim the initiative. If not, the image of a president losing control—on his 80th birthday—will harden, with unpredictable consequences for the remainder of his second term.
