The war in Iran is driving a generational divide between MAGA men at CPAC
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A generational divide over war policy has emerged among conservative activists at CPAC.
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Joseph Bolick, a 30-year-old Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and Trump 2024 voter, expressed deep frustration at CPAC this week, saying Trump "lied about everything" regarding his campaign promise to avoid new foreign wars after the Trump administration joined Israel in attacking Iran. A POLITICO poll found a stark generational split among self-identified "MAGA Republicans": over 70 percent of those over 35 believe Trump has a plan in Iran, compared with 49 percent under 35, and 66 percent of older MAGA men support sacrificing American lives for U.S. goals there versus less than half of younger men. Young MAGA influencers including Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan have opposed the war, and White House sources say younger staffers are frustrated by contradictory messaging from Trump on the conflict. The divide threatens GOP gains with young men ahead of November's midterm elections, with some attendees warning Republicans could lose key coalition members if the war drags on without clear resolution.
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