Donald Trump Jr has reportedly privately expressed concerns about the war in Iran to his father.
The US president’s eldest son opposed the war from the outset and made his opinions known to his father, two sources told The Atlantic.
He believed the US should not enter another war in the Middle East, consistent with his long-standing scepticism of foreign intervention.
“Don has kept his views on the subject private, as he would never publicly break with his dad on an issue like this, but I can’t imagine anyone who knows Don would be surprised by his personal views on the subject,” a person close to the president’s son said.
‘America First’ friction
The president’s decision to align himself with Israel in the war against Tehran has caused a rift within his Maga base, which believes the conflict flies in the face of the “America First” position they voted for.
JD Vance is widely understood to be against the war.
Like Mr Trump, he has a long-standing history of scepticism toward military intervention in the Middle East, though his role shifted when the US launched military strikes on Feb 28.
Charlie Kirk, the conservative political activist who was assassinated last year, was among the loudest voices in Maga to oppose a conflict in the Middle East, particularly after Mr Trump first launched strikes on Iran in June 2025.
Mr Trump Jr was exceptionally close to Kirk, whom he described as a “little brother”.
“Don Jr is the most Maga of them all,” one of the people who spoke with Mr Trump said.
The cost of conflict
High fuel prices caused by a global diesel shortage resulting from the conflict have made it harder for the US president and his Republican Party to defend narrow congressional majorities in the upcoming midterm elections.
As the spectre of a painful election looms, the White House has tried to lower costs to appeal to voters, who rank the cost of living as one of their highest priorities.
A spokesman for Mr Trump declined to comment to The Atlantic.
The White House official told the magazine in a statement: “Iran has been decimated, and one way or the other, the conflict in Iran will be over very soon.”