Trump's Iran brinksmanship has lost him alt-right leader Richard Spencer


Richard Spencer is probably best known for organizing the torch-wielding "Unite the Right" white nationalist march in Charlottesville and for leading a Nazi-like salute of President-elect Trump at an "alt-right" conference in Washington. But the white nationalist faction that supports Trump has never been a fan of Trump's hawkishness in the Middle East, and after Iran retaliated Tuesday for Trump's killing of one of its most powerful generals, Spencer said he was officially off the Trump bandwagon.
If there was any doubt why Spencer, who put an Iranian flag in his Twitter handle, "deeply regret[s] voting for and promoting Donald Trump in 2016," he explained in a subsequent tweet.
A significant portion of Trump's most vocal supporters, like Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Spencer's alt-right brethren, backed him because of his "America First" mantra, which many of them interpreted to mean withdrawing U.S. forces from the Middle East and keeping most immigrants out of America. As Trump decides how to respond to Iran's missile strikes on Iraqi bases, it's worth keeping an eye on that slice of MAGA America.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How did Qatar become the world's peacemaker?
Today's Big Question Strong relationships, ideological pragmatism and neutral positioning has made the tiny Gulf state 'the diplomatic capital of the world'
-
The Macrons v. Candace Owens: consequences for conspiracy theorists?
Talking Point French president and his wife are suing the right-wing influencer over bizarre claims Brigitte Macron was born a man
-
Crossword: July 29, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein