The idea that the press in this country would be upset over the attacks on Iran’s leadership was a given. But seeing the work being done to undercut the effort and cut down domestic support is particularly pernicious. One of the methods seen has been the claim that the Republican base is divided over Epic Fury. This appears to be a case of insistence over evidence.
Numerous polls have been conducted that not only show strong backing for the effort, but also show numbers that are close to uniform across pollsters.
CBS poll: 85% of Republicans support the President's strikes on Iran
— Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) March 4, 2026
Fox News poll: 84% of Republicans support strikes on Iran
Washington Post poll: 81% of Republicans support strikes on Iran
Retuers/Ipsos poll: 82% of Republicans support strikes on Iran
Liberal mainstream… pic.twitter.com/dQO9oX9KgC
For a telling example of reflexive opposition to this administration, we present William Kristol. Yes, yes — I know he has devolved into a bumbling self-parody. But Billy does demonstrate the manner in which so many in the press just default to automatic opposition to the actions of President Trump, regardless of the merits of those actions. And, it bears noting, regardless of positions those same critics have previously held.
As Streiff covered this week, the entire reason for our joint mission with Israel to neutralize Iran’s strike capabilities was its leadership displaying a bold insistence that it would soon be nuclear-capable. In meetings meant to shut down its missile-rattling, the leadership instead told the U.S. they were storming ahead.
READ MORE: Steve Witkoff's Description of Negotiations With Iran Is Like a Scene From the Movie 'The Big Short'
Bill Kristol, prior to becoming afflicted with Trump Derangement (see your healthcare provider for treatment options), had been among those declaring that preventing Iran from getting nukes was a priority. Now again, we all know Bill has completely abandoned all pretense of his past conservative positions. That he previously was the force of “The Weekly Standard” is darkly ironic, given how he pitched his standards over the transom because of one man.
But today, he exemplifies the rudderless media criticism of President Trump, regardless of the common sense in play, and this does not involve rooting through the archives of his past periodical. This is what Kristol had to say after this weekend’s strikes on Iran:
Maybe Rubio should stop inventing "imminent threats" to justify the war his administration started and get to work doing his department's job of helping Americans in the war zone they created. https://t.co/hVFtT81cBi
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) March 3, 2026
So our cause for going in was “invented,” and the threats were manufactured to “justify” action. This position by Bill, again to no surprise, not only defies his past positions from the pre-Trump years; it defies his hot take position from just weeks ago.
Reaching all the way back to January, Kristol was upset with the administration for its focus on Greenland. Bill saw this as a futile distraction and insisted that the administration focus instead on a more important portion of the map. Just guess what he felt was the proper place for us to take action.
Bill Kristol claims the U.S. invented a reason to attack Iran.
— Lie-Able Sources (@LieAbleSources) March 4, 2026
He is opposing the position that we needed to go into that country to liberate the citizens that was promoted by...Bil Kristol. pic.twitter.com/lKLayrm9u4
This is what one looks like when your starting point is to first look into what President Trump’s opinion is on any matter. Kristol is displaying the same blind opposition seen from many in the press and from the Democrats. The blithe way they can take a position that is 180 degrees out of phase with where they themselves previously stood is astounding. It is a sign of having no foundational principles beyond defying the president on any and all matters.
That they ultimately end up defying their own stance is immaterial because, in their mind, being consistent in battling Trump is noble, even when that means contradicting themselves.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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