At this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), held in Grapevine, Texas, a significant generational divide has emerged among conservatives regarding the recent U.S. military actions against Iran. This split highlights differing perspectives between older conservatives, who tend to view the conflict as a necessary response to longstanding threats, and younger conservatives, many of whom feel disillusioned and betrayed by President Donald Trump's decision to initiate strikes in the Middle East. The divide poses a challenge to Republican unity at a critical moment, as the party prepares for a difficult midterm election cycle.
Younger conservatives attending CPAC expressed disappointment and frustration with Trump's approach to Iran, emphasizing that his military actions contradict his earlier campaign promises to avoid foreign entanglements. Benjamin Williams, a 25-year-old marketing specialist with Young Americans for Liberty from Austin, Texas, voiced his concerns about the war's impact not only on U.S. military personnel-including his Air Force officer brother-but also on regional stability and the broader U.S. economy. Williams described the strikes as a "betrayal" of the America-first policies Trump had championed during his campaign.
Similarly, Sean O'Brien, a college sophomore at Auburn University, shared his waning support for Trump, particularly alarmed by the prospect of deploying U.S. troops to the Middle East. O'Brien described sending troops to Iran as a "full betrayal" and admitted that the possibility of military escalation "keeps me up at night." These sentiments reflect a broader skepticism among younger conservatives about involvement in overseas conflicts, especially those perceived as unnecessary or potentially endless.
In contrast, many older conservatives at the conference defended Trump's military actions as a pragmatic and necessary response to a persistent threat from Iran. Joe Ropar, a 70-year-old retired defense contractor from McKinney, Texas, argued that Trump did not start a new war but was responding to decades of hostility from Iran. He questioned how long the U.S. should have waited before taking action, asserting, "I think he did what he had to do when he had to do it." Ropar's view encapsulates a common perspective among senior conservatives who prioritize national security and see military intervention as justified when faced with ongoing aggression.
Kelle Phillips, a 61-year-old author and religious instructor from Frisco, Texas, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the difference between campaign rhetoric and governance. She explained that while Trump campaigned on non-interventionist policies, real-world dynamics forced a different approach. Phillips emphasized the perceived threat posed by the Iranian regime, noting, "You can't reason with them," and suggesting that military action was a necessary response to protect America.
James Scharre, another older attendee, also interpreted Trump's early opposition to regime change as a preference rather than a firm promise. Scharre described Trump as a "wise leader" who adapts to what works, supporting the current military approach as a pragmatic short-term strategy rather than a commitment to prolonged involvement.
This generational divide at CPAC reflects deeper tensions within the conservative movement, which is grappling with how to reconcile Trump's evolving foreign policy decisions with the expectations of his diverse base. The split also signals potential challenges for the Republican Party as it seeks to maintain support among younger voters while managing the realities of international conflicts.
The division over the Iran war is not limited to grassroots attendees but extends to prominent conservative voices as well. Influential opinion leaders like podcaster Tucker Carlson have voiced early skepticism about the conflict. Additionally, Joe Kent, the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Counterterrorism director and a former Trump administration official, resigned in protest, stating he could not support the ongoing war and arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States.
Right-wing strategist Steve Bannon, expected to speak at CPAC, has also expressed concerns that a prolonged military engagement in the Middle East could alienate some conservative voters. Bannon warned that the war might discourage turnout among Republicans in the upcoming November midterm elections, where the party's hold on the U.S. House of Representatives is already precarious, and its slim Senate majority faces significant challenges.
Public opinion polls reflect these divisions as well. A recent survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Trump's overall approval rating remains stable, a majority of Americans-about 59%-believe U.S. military action in Iran has been excessive. This sentiment could translate into political liabilities for Trump and the Republican Party as the midterms approach.
CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp acknowledged the division among conservatives on this issue. He announced that this year's CPAC straw poll would include a question about the Iran conflict, with results to be released on the convention's final day. Schlapp expressed confidence that support for Trump had not been significantly undermined but admitted that concerns about the conflict's direction persist beneath the surface.
Among younger conservatives, support for Trump appears to be waning. Tiffany Krieger, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh sophomore from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, described her enthusiasm for Trump as having dropped from a "level-10" to a "five" due to the war. Krieger lamented the growing rift within the conservative movement and the challenge of maintaining unity amid such divisive issues. "It seems like the love for him is plateauing. We see our party splitting apart and we're supposed to be united," she said.
In response to these internal divisions, Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow with the CPAC foundation, opened the conference's Thursday session with a call for unity among conservatives. Addressing the audience directly, she urged, "We cannot divide from within," warning that political opponents seek to exploit such fractures. "Let's stay united. They want us divided," she emphasized.
The generational split over the Iran war at CPAC underscores the complex challenges facing the conservative movement and the Republican Party as they navigate foreign policy decisions, electoral pressures, and shifting voter attitudes. Older conservatives tend to prioritize national security and view military action as a necessary response to threats, while younger conservatives increasingly advocate for restraint and adherence to America-first principles that eschew foreign conflicts.
As the Republican Party approaches the midterm elections, reconciling these divergent viewpoints will be crucial. The debate over the Iran war not only tests the cohesion of the conservative coalition but also highlights the evolving nature of political loyalty in an era where traditional party lines and campaign promises are increasingly scrutinized by an engaged and diverse base.
In sum, CPAC 2024 has revealed a pronounced generational fault line within the conservative movement regarding U.S. involvement in Iran. While older attendees largely support Trump's military actions as pragmatic and necessary, many younger conservatives express feelings of disappointment and betrayal, concerned about the consequences of war and the departure from campaign commitments. This divide poses a significant test for Republican unity and the future direction of conservative politics in the United States.