As President Donald Trump’s confrontation with Iran intensifies and fuel costs continue squeezing American consumers, veteran broadcaster Geraldo Rivera is sounding the alarm about what he sees as an impending Republican disaster in next year’s midterm elections.
The dire forecast from Rivera, who once backed Trump and now works as correspondent at large for NewsNation, centers on two interconnected crises: a military conflict that most Americans don’t support and skyrocketing gas prices that are emptying their wallets. Speaking on “The Daily Take” with host Connell McShane on April 15, Rivera didn’t mince words about the political reckoning he believes awaits the GOP.
“I think if the war persists, and if the price of gas stays where it is or goes higher, there will be a stampede in the midterm elections,” Rivera told host Connell McShane. “I think the cost politically to the president will be profound. I think Republicans will be reeling from a revolution.”
His grim assessment comes backed by polling data that shows widespread public opposition to the military engagement. An Ipsos survey indicates just 24% of Americans view the military action in Iran as worth the costs, while 51% say it has not been worth it. When participants were asked to complete the statement “Considering the cost and benefits, the Iran War has been…,” the majority responded with “not worth U.S. military action.”
Rivera’s critique cuts particularly deep because it highlights a broken campaign promise that resonated with Trump’s core supporters. The journalist noted that Trump secured his 2024 election victory partly by vowing “no more forever wars” to his MAGA base—a pledge now seemingly abandoned amid the ongoing Iran conflict. For Rivera, this represents a fundamental betrayal of Trump’s most devoted followers.
The political toll is already showing up in Trump’s approval numbers. A CNN survey revealed that strong approval among Republicans plummeted from 52% in January to 43% by April. His economic approval rating among Republicans dropped 14 points during the same timeframe. The deterioration among independents, who will determine control of competitive congressional districts, appears even more severe.
Economic pressure on American households stems from Trump’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategy designed to force Iran’s capitulation through economic strangulation. While McShane acknowledged this approach might eventually compel Iran to accept Trump’s terms, the tactic has hammered U.S. consumers with soaring fuel costs as oil supplies remain disrupted. American patience with this trade-off, the polling suggests, has worn dangerously thin.
Rivera’s current pessimism represents a marked shift from just eight days earlier. On April 7, he appeared on “TMZ Live” to discuss Trump’s approach to Iran with considerably more optimism. During that appearance, Rivera characterized Trump’s threat to end Iran’s civilization as “exaggerated” and said he was confident the Department of War would never authorize strikes on civilian targets. He also downplayed fears about nuclear weapons deployment.
But circumstances have evolved rapidly, as have Rivera’s views. His April 15 remarks came while the U.S. and Israel pressed their military campaign against Iran, with Trump establishing an 8 p.m. ceasefire deadline accompanied by threats to bomb power plants and other vital infrastructure. Though a two-week ceasefire was eventually declared, global markets continue absorbing the economic shockwaves from interrupted oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
As its April 21 expiration date nears, the temporary truce has grown increasingly unstable. On April 18, Iran reversed course and re-closed the Strait of Hormuz, demanding the U.S. lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports before allowing commercial shipping to resume. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, said Iran had gotten “a little cute” and warned that if no deal is reached before the ceasefire expires, “we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.” With the Strait once again shuttered, gas prices showing no sign of relief, and peace talks stalled, the 2026 midterms loom as a potential referendum on Trump’s Iran policy and its devastating domestic economic consequences.
Rivera’s warning carries significant weight considering his personal connection to Trump, including their time together on “Celebrity Apprentice,” and his deep familiarity with MAGA movement priorities. The longtime broadcaster appears convinced that Trump’s characteristic aggressive rhetoric won’t save Republicans from voter anger unless fuel prices drop and the conflict ends soon.
His prediction of a Republican “revolution” at the ballot box stands as one of the bleakest projections yet from anyone within Trump’s extended political circle.