Donald Trump Jr. opposed Iran war from the start, breaking with his father behind closed doors

Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, has reportedly privately disagreed with his father’s choice to start a war against Iran, creating divisions among members of the political movement about the war that could bring down the “America First” agenda.

According to an exclusive report by The Atlantic, two sources close to Trump Jr. revealed that the businessman had been opposed to the war from its start and had shared his views with his father.

It is noteworthy that Trump Jr. has not openly spoken against his father’s decision on Iran. When approached for comments, a spokesperson for him declined to respond to the outlet. A person close to him reportedly claimed that the businessman would not speak against his father publicly, according to the outlet.

Trump Jr.’s opposition clashes with his father’s foreign policy

The reported dispute is all the more remarkable considering that Trump Jr. himself had defended his father’s foreign policy in the 2024 presidential election campaign.

On April 13, 2024, as Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israel, Trump Jr. wrote on X: “Remember when they said Trump would get us into a full-blown war with Iran?”

He followed that question by praising his father’s “strength and his resolve”, presenting Trump as a leader who could confront international threats without dragging America into another major conflict.

More than two years later, the United States is fighting Iran under the same president Trump Jr. once portrayed as the alternative to such a scenario.

The current conflict has put that campaign-era argument under pressure. Trump Jr. has long been associated with the nationalist wing of the Republican coalition and favours limiting overseas military commitments and prioritising domestic concerns.

Vice President also in the list

According to The Atlantic, the disagreement extends beyond Trump Jr. Vice President JD Vance also reportedly expressed private opposition as the administration considered joining Israel’s military campaign.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were reportedly skeptical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s February proposal for regime change, particularly through an air campaign.

This position also echoes the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close associate of Trump Jr. who opposed the Iran war and broke with the administration over the issue, according to the outlet.