Does the Iran War Put America First?

About this episode

Curt Mills discusses the implications of a potential war with Iran on Trump's America First agenda and his voter base.

I don’t think a war with Iran is what Trump — or his voters — had in mind when he campaigned on “America first.” My guest this week is Curt Mills, the executive director of The American Conservative, a magazine that champions foreign policy restraint. Mills thinks the war with Iran is a major betrayal of the voters who put Trump in the White House and has the potential to shatter Trump’s domestic coalition.

People in this episode

Host: Ross Douthat

Guest: Curt Mills

Topics covered

• Iran War
• America First
• Foreign Policy
• Trump
• Voter Betrayal
• Domestic Coalition

Keywords

• Iran War
• Trump
• America First
• Curt Mills
• Foreign Policy
• Voter Betrayal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The American Conservative

Places: Iran, America, White House

More episodes of Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

• Better Sex, Better Hair, Better Sleep: ‘Humanmaxxing’ Is Here · June 11, 2026 · 1h 12m
• Anna Paulina Luna Wants Everything Disclosed · June 5, 2026 · 1h 21m
• Our Military Is Built for the Wrong Century · May 28, 2026 · 60 min
• A Defense of a Liberal Arts Education in the Age of A.I. · May 21, 2026 · 1h 3m
• China's Not the Problem. We Are. · May 14, 2026 · 53 min
• A Legendary Investor on How to Prevent America’s Coming ‘Heart Attack’ · May 7, 2026 · 51 min