LANCASTER, Pa. — President Donald Trump’s recent agreement to end hostilities in Iran has exposed divisions among his supporters and highlighted broader political challenges as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

At a Buffalo Wild Wings in Lancaster where a group of predominantly young conservatives gathered to watch a UFC event celebrating Trump’s birthday, opinions on the Iran conflict were notably mixed. While Trump hailed the agreement as a success that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to global oil traffic, some attendees expressed skepticism about the war’s necessity and the administration’s handling of the situation.

Jon Showalter, 26, voiced doubts about the war, equating it to protracted lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic and questioning whether the conflict was truly resolved or merely paused. “It isn’t what we voted for,” he said. Others remained cautiously optimistic, viewing the deal as a step toward stabilizing oil markets, though analysts caution that gas prices may remain high for months despite the reopening of the key oil route.

The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli attacks that resulted in the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in February, failed to achieve broader objectives such as regime change or securing greater freedoms for Iranians. Instead, it generated economic disruptions, including the halting of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and a spike in fuel costs above $4 per gallon. Trump celebrated the prospect of renewed oil flow on social media shortly before the deal was set to be signed on Friday.

The war has deepened fissures within the Republican base and among independents, complicating Trump’s political standing less than five months before the midterms. Polling data reveals widespread skepticism about the conflict. A June Reuters-Ipsos survey found that 53 percent of Americans viewed U.S. military action in Iran as not worth the costs, while only 25 percent supported it. Among independents, more than two-thirds disapproved of Trump’s handling of Iran, alongside notable disapproval from a quarter of Trump voters and 16 percent of self-identified “MAGA” supporters.

Prominent conservative figures such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson openly criticized Trump’s approach, reflecting discontent among some of his traditional allies. Podcaster Joe Rogan, who commands a large audience, criticized the war as contradictory to the “America First” and anti-war sentiments that had previously drawn supporters to Trump.

Trump’s overall approval rating has declined from 40 percent in February to 36 percent in recent months, marking his lowest level since returning to office, according to a Washington Post poll average. Economic concerns have intensified, with a recent Economist-YouGov poll assigning Trump a negative-34 net economic approval rating, down from negative-20 prior to the escalation of hostilities.

The White House defended Trump’s approach, citing gains from military interventions and reaffirming a commitment to lowering costs for American families through deregulation, tax cuts, and energy policies. Spokeswoman Olivia Wales dismissed critics who doubted Trump’s foreign policy, emphasizing the president’s track record.

Despite the war’s unpopularity, some supporters at the Buffalo Wild Wings regarded the conflict as a necessary disruption. Roland Oatman, an Amazon employee, described the military action as justified, while Dylan Canavan, 37, expressed vocal support for the president.

Yet, the event highlighted cracks in Trump’s coalition, particularly among younger voters who had supported him in 2024 but are now reconsidering their allegiance. Recent polls indicate a marked decline in approval among men under 30, with 70 percent disapproving according to an April survey, and reduced enthusiasm for Republican candidates among young Trump supporters compared to their Democratic counterparts.

“This experience has not met the expectations or the promises they felt Trump was making,” said John Della Volpe, who directs the Harvard Youth Poll. The evolving sentiment among young voters underscores the political challenges Trump faces as he attempts to maintain his base amid lingering divisions over the war in Iran.