The social backlash against Donald Trump is gaining strength again in the United States with a new day of the “No Kings Day”, a mobilization driven by the opposition to denounce what they consider an authoritarian drift of the president and his foreign policy.
A movement that grows against Trump
The so-called “No Kings Day” was born after the controversial military parade organized by Trump in Washington coinciding with his birthday, a gesture that was interpreted by his critics as a staging of personalist power.
Since then, the protest has been repeated on several occasions, but the current call comes in a much more tense context, marked by immigration policy and, above all, by the war in Iran.
The war in Iran, trigger of the protests
The American offensive in Iran has become the main catalyst for the mobilizations. It is one of the most unpopular conflicts of recent years in the United States, with growing rejection both in progressive sectors and within the conservative environment itself.
Figures from the Trumpist universe like Tucker Carlson or Marjorie Taylor Greene have expressed their opposition, while strategists like Steve Bannon have questioned the real interest of the war for the United States, pointing out that primarily benefits Israel.
More than 3,000 protests across the country
In this context, more than 3,000 demonstrations are held this Saturday in different parts of the country, mobilizing millions of citizens against the policies of the Trump Administration.
The protests not only focus on foreign policy, but also on the economic impact of the war. The increase in fuel prices is directly affecting the cost of living, in a country highly dependent on cars, which reduces households' spending capacity and pushes prices up across the board.
A wear and tear that arrives in an election year
The situation occurs at a key moment: The United States is heading towards the midterm legislative elections, in which Trump risks maintaining control of Congress.
To this context is added a growing controversy around his leadership, fueled by controversial statements and errors that his critics interpret as signs of wear and tear.
Drop in the polls
Social unrest is also reflected in the polls. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump's approval rating has fallen to 36%, its lowest level since his return to the White House.
The economy, one of the pillars of his political discourse, is now one of his weak points:
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Only 29% approve of his economic management
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And barely 25% support his handling of the cost of living
The rising cost of gasoline since the beginning of the conflict has especially eroded its credibility in this area.
Solid support within the Republican Party
Despite this wear and tear, Trump maintains a solid base within the Republican Party. The majority of his voters continue to support his management, with relatively low disapproval levels among his own electorate.
A more divided country
The rise of protests, the rejection of war, and the deterioration of economic indicators paint a scenario of growing polarization in the United States.
In the midst of the campaign towards the November elections, the combination of social pressure and political wear and tear places Trump before one of the most delicate moments of his current term.