How the war in Iran and its economic fallout could lead to Trump's defeat

[babylonsister]

How the war in Iran and its economic fallout could lead to Trump’s defeat
Eduardo Porter
The war is deeply unpopular, and the spike in oil prices will mean long-term high prices across the board for Americans
Sat 14 Mar 2026 12.32 EDT

SNIP//

But however high Trump is riding, he is nonetheless facing defeat. Not military defeat against whatever is left of Iran’s armed forces. He is about to be defeated by the only power ever capable of stopping American military adventures: the opposition of the American public.

The war against Iran has been deeply unpopular from the start, an unusual twist for a nation that tends to support sending the kids off to fight, even under dubious justifications. Its economic effects are not going to help its popularity going forward.

SNIP//

Trucking companies will largely pass on higher prices to customers. Farmers facing higher fuel and fertilizer prices will also slap them onto the price tag of food. Retailers and airlines will also be hit by rising fuel costs.

All this will undoubtedly show up in March’s reading on inflation, which had steadied in February to a 2.4% increase compared with a year earlier. And all this will get in the way of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, expensive gas at the pump is likely to hit sales of Americans’ beloved SUVs.

All of this will hammer Trump’s approval ratings where it hurts.

more...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/14/trump-iran-war

[gfarber]

1. Plummeting Approval Ratings

There once was a president named Trump,
Who charged into war with a thump.
He strutted up high,
With a boast to the sky—
But public opinion said, “Jump.”

The war with Iran raised a fuss,
Not the cheerleaders hoped for by us.
The voters looked grim,
Less enchanted by him—
And murmured, “Why fight over there thus?”

The truckers saw diesel climb steep,
And groaned at the costs they must keep.
“Pass it along,”
Went the market’s old song—
Till prices made shoppers all weep.

The farmers saw fuel bills expand,
And fertilizer pricey and grand.
So onto the shelf
They passed it themselves—
And groceries grew hard to withstand.

Inflation once steady and mild
Now threatened to run rather wild.
The Fed tapped the brake,
Rate cuts hard now to make—
While gas left SUV lovers riled.

So riding quite high on the hill,
He boasted of strength and of will.
Yet polls told the tale:
When wallets grow pale,
Approval can plummet at will.

Disclaimer: Yes, an AI helped write this—because if you’re looking for pure, hand-crafted literary suffering, you’re welcome to go produce some yourself. If you like my attempts, consider clicking the link.

https://buymeacoffee.com/gfarber

[3_Limes]

2. -Sigh- If I had a nickle for each thing that was gonna sink Trump, I could buy my own senator. Or maybe two.

I hope you're right though! Hope springs eternal.

[leftstreet]

3. He's becoming indifferent to his approval ratings

He could be at 1% approval and not change. Narcissists can do that though, block everything out and carry on "imagining" it's all fake news or whatever.

He knows he can't run again, so why even attempt any "courtship" phase of his victims.

[flvegan]

4. "Defeat" is a word that folks use with Trump where

I don't think that it means what they think it means.

[sop]

5. Trump doesn't care about America's economy, only his.

Trump's in the amassing personal wealth phase of his presidency.