Trump losing his own people

Summary

• Yet, after the election defeat, Vance appears increasingly willing to acknowledge the political damage caused by the war against Iran.
• The Iran war has become a political liability for Trump.
• He could build a campaign around ending the Iran war, rejecting unnecessary foreign military adventures and restoring the America First promises that helped Trump win political support.

AI Generated Summary

There is a moment in every political leader’s life when defeat becomes more dangerous than it first appears. Losing an election is one thing. Losing the confidence of people who once stood around you is something entirely different. The first sign of political decline is often not the opposition becoming stronger but loyal supporters beginning to look for another leader.

I have seen this happen in Pakistan. General Pervez Musharraf once enjoyed considerable support among sections of the establishment, political circles and the public. But when his political position weakened, many of those who had stood beside him began to distance themselves. The Chaudhrys of Gujrat, who were once among his strongest political allies, could not remain permanently attached to a declining political arrangement.

Imran Khan experienced a similar change in political relationships, although his political support among the public has remained significant. Nawaz Sharif, too, has witnessed how political circumstances can change the behaviour of allies and supporters. In politics, loyalty is often tested most severely when a leader is no longer seen as a winner.

Now, something similar may be happening to Donald Trump.