US Politics
Trump-connected PAC is fundraising off Iran war: ‘Will you stand strong with me?’
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A political action committee linked to President Trump has called on donors to “stand strong” with the GOP leader amid the U.S.’s ongoing war with Iran.
The U.S. and Israeli militaries began bombing the Islamic Republic on Saturday, killing the regime’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the process. Six U.S. soldiers have so far died in the military operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury.
Now, the conflict in Iran is being namechecked in a donation drive promoted by WinRed, a website designed to channel donations to GOP candidates and committees.
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“Right now, I’m asking everyone who approves of Operation Epic Fury to rally behind me with incredible messages of support,” the message reads. “Your words mean the world to me. “Show your support!Will you stand STRONG with me as I protect our country?”
Respondents are given a set of three replies, which range from “no,” to “unsure,” to “YES – I STAND WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP!”
Suggested donations range from $26 to $3,300. According to the website, funds raised by the campaign will be used by the Trump National Committee JFC.
Another fundraising message, paid for by Never Surrender, Inc, included a direct warning to Iranian forces from the president.
“To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say that you must lay down all your weapons and have complete immunity or you will face certain death,” Trump wrote.
The military operation in Iran has split lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with Democrats and some Republicans slamming the president for greenlighting an attack.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren tore into Trump on X, condemned the president for launching the strikes despite campaigning on a platform of lowering day-to-day costs and bringing an end to “forever wars.”
“Donald Trump promised to lower costs on Day 1 and end wars,” Senator Warren wrote. “Instead, Trump’s new war with Iran is raising your costs.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, several GOP lawmakers privately expressed concerns about the war to Politico. One Republican even compared the strikes on Iran to the Vietnam War.
“Sounds a little bit like President Lyndon Johnson going into Vietnam, doesn’t it?” the lawmaker said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters, though, that the attack on Iran was approved as a preemptive response. He said that concerns were raised that Iran could strike U.S. targets, if attacked by Israel.
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President Trump framed the attack to Fox News as an effort to get rid of the Iranian regime’s leadership.
The U.S. military operation in Iran has proven to be unpopular amongst voters, with just one in four, 27 percent, supporting the airstrikes on the Islamic Republic.
The survey, which was conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, found that 43 percent of respondents disapproved of the strikes while 29 percent were still not sure.
Over half of those surveyed, 56 percent, also said that the president was too quick to use force to advance the United States’ interests around the world.
Another poll suggested that 54 percent of voters disapprove of the president’s handling of the conflict with Iran.
The Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies survey, which was conducted for NBC News, found that just 41 percent of people approved of his management of the crisis.
