🟥 From “Make Iran Great Again” to “No More Chaos

Why Trump Suddenly Swore Off Regime Change in Tehran

🗓️ Posted June 25, 2025 

“Regime-change takes chaos—and, ideally, we don’t want chaos.”
—Donald J. Trump, aboard Air Force One, June 24, 2025
[Politico]

Just two days after hinting at toppling Iran’s leadership on Truth Social, President Trump is now pulling back. His post—"If the current Iranian Regime can’t MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?"—ignited MAGA Twitter and even inspired “MIGA” memes overnight. But as he flew to the NATO summit, Trump disavowed the idea completely, declaring the U.S. has no intention of pursuing regime change in Tehran.

This flip—from fire to freeze—raises a question: What changed? And why so quickly?

🔥 The Trigger: Operation Midnight Hammer

It all began with Saturday’s U.S. airstrikes on three of Iran’s major nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The operation—code-named Midnight Hammer—was a bold, high-risk move that shocked the world. Less than 24 hours later, Trump floated the idea of regime change, and the internet exploded. By Monday, the backlash wasn’t just coming from liberals or foreign policy experts—it was coming from inside Trump’s own house.

MAGA hardliners like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie were suddenly using hashtags like #NoMoreWars, calling the post “un-MAGA” and warning against another endless Middle East conflict. The same voters who once chanted “Fire and Fury” were now demanding restraint.

🧠 The Real Reason for the U-Turn

Trump’s reversal wasn’t just about internet memes or headline management—it was about political survival. Behind the scenes, he faced mounting pressure from four key directions.

First, there was pushback from conservative lawmakers who were prepared to limit his military authority through a bipartisan War Powers resolution. Trump has always branded himself as the ultimate dealmaker, but a congressional revolt—especially from his own party—would be a major embarrassment.

Second, timing played a crucial role. Just days earlier, Trump had claimed victory by brokering a fragile cease-fire between Iran and Israel. Floating regime change immediately afterward made him look erratic. Reversing course gave him the image of a pragmatic peacemaker instead of a reckless hawk.

Third, internal polling sent warning flares. Reports from his campaign aides suggested that swing-state independents, especially in suburban districts, strongly opposed the idea of another war. Words like “containment” and “stability” polled far better than “occupation” or “overthrow.”

Finally, Europe made its stance clear. Trump’s NATO allies, still reeling from years of U.S. unpredictability, had zero interest in joining another American-led regime experiment. As he prepared to land in Brussels, Trump likely knew that sticking with the “regime change” narrative would fracture the alliance he now claims to be rebuilding.

📣 Reactions from the Right

Trump’s pivot caught some off guard—but not all. Marjorie Taylor Greene celebrated it with a meme of him dodging a "Regime Change" dodgeball, captioned “He Listened.” Steve Bannon, who’s been critical of neocon-style foreign adventures, called the reversal “B-52 diplomacy without the sequel.”

Not everyone was thrilled, though. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Iran hawk, reminded reporters that Tehran’s hostility toward Israel still demands a hard line. The Republican base now finds itself divided: some proud of Trump’s restraint, others anxious he’s softening under pressure.

🕊️ Meanwhile in Tehran...

Iran’s state media wasted no time framing Trump’s walk-back as a defeat for American imperialism. But behind closed doors, more delicate dynamics may be at play. Reports suggest that secret talks in Oman could lead to a short-term freeze on uranium enrichment in exchange for loosening banking sanctions. While nothing is official yet, Trump’s verbal retreat may have created just enough diplomatic space for moderates in Iran to re-engage—without losing face.

🧭 What Happens Next?

Trump now heads into the NATO summit where leaders will likely press him to formalize his no-regime-change stance in writing. Back home, lawmakers like Rep. Thomas Massie are expected to introduce legislation limiting further military action, a rare bipartisan move that could expose deeper cracks in the GOP.

And let’s not forget Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. While the strikes were damaging, IAEA inspectors say the centrifuges were "crippled, not killed." Iran could quietly rebuild, setting off yet another cycle of provocation by late summer.

Of course, Trump’s next Truth Social post could undo all of this in a heartbeat. With one all-caps message, he could swing the narrative right back to fire and fury.

💬 Final Thoughts

Trump’s political brand thrives on bold statements, quick pivots, and unpredictable plays. This week’s walk-back isn’t a sign of new-found pacifism. It’s strategic survival. In an election year where stability sells better than shock, the President chose to change course—not because he had to, but because he couldn’t afford not to.

For now, Americans—and Iranians—can breathe a little easier. But make no mistake: the tension is still in the air. And the next twist may already be typed, waiting in his drafts

(All images are created by AI tools)