Trump Claims Iran War Justifies Economic Suffering, Rural Voters Agree

WIGGINS, Colorado — Perched behind the cash register at Stubs liquor store, Amy Van Duyn gazed out the window at a red-and-green gasoline price sign, which she said seemed to tick up daily.

The price was $4.34 per gallon — about 50% higher than it was in these parts when President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year.

"I used to fill my tank for $36," said Van Duyn, 42. "Now $36 gets me half a tank."

Her co-worker Tonyah Bruyette said when it's time to buy groceries, she's left wondering where all her money went: "We're putting it in the tank rather than on our table."

Like most people in and around Wiggins, a farming town of 1,400 people in northeast Colorado, Van Duyn and Bruyette remain ardent supporters of the president, who won surrounding Morgan County by 49 percentage points in 2024.

Nationally, Trump’s political fortunes appear to be waning. His war with Iran has sent fuel prices soaring past $4.50 a gallon nationwide, and a Reuters/Ipsos poll last month found nearly 8 in 10 Americans hold the president responsible for higher gasoline prices.

Trump was asked this week if people's economic woes were motivating him to reach a deal with Tehran. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation," he responded. “The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon."

Democrats seized on the comments as evidence of an administration losing touch with an anxious public. Only 30% of U.S. adults approved of Trump's handling of the economy as of a May Reuters/Ipsos poll, an issue that had long been one of his political strengths.

But in two dozen recent interviews along Colorado’s Highway 52 — a two-lane blacktop road punctuated by grain elevators, feedlots and oil pumpjacks — Trump voters echoed the president's logic.

The Economic Dilemma

The rising cost of gas is not just a number on a pump; it's a daily struggle for many families across the country. For residents of small towns like Wiggins, the impact is felt more acutely.

• Increased expenses: Gasoline prices have climbed sharply, making it harder for people to afford basic necessities.
• Shift in priorities: Many are forced to allocate more of their budget to fuel, leaving less for groceries and other essentials.
• Economic uncertainty: The instability caused by geopolitical tensions has led to widespread concern about the future.

Political Divides

Despite the challenges, many voters in rural areas continue to support President Trump. This loyalty often stems from a belief that his policies align with their interests, even if the economic effects are negative.

• Support for national security: Voters prioritize preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, even if it means higher fuel costs.
• Distrust of alternatives: Some feel that other political options do not address their concerns effectively.
• Local impact: In smaller communities, the effects of national policies are more visible and personal.

National Trends

While Trump's approval ratings have dipped, the situation in places like Wiggins highlights the complexity of American politics. The divide between urban and rural perspectives is becoming more pronounced.

• Urban vs. rural views: Urban areas tend to be more critical of Trump's policies, while rural communities often support him.
• Economic issues: The economy remains a central concern for voters, with many feeling that the current administration is not addressing their needs.
• Public sentiment: Polls show a growing dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, particularly regarding economic stability.

The Road Ahead

As the nation grapples with rising costs and political divisions, the situation in Wiggins serves as a microcosm of broader trends. The challenge lies in finding a balance between national security and economic stability.

• Policy adjustments: There may be a need for new approaches that address both security concerns and economic hardships.
• Public engagement: Increased dialogue between policymakers and citizens could help bridge the gap between different perspectives.
• Long-term solutions: Sustainable strategies are essential to ensure that the economy remains strong while maintaining national security.

Across Morgan and Weld counties, which haven't voted for a Democrat in a presidential election since 1964, voters were willing to pay more for gas if it meant eliminating a possible Iranian nuclear threat. Energy prices had also spiked under President Joe Biden, many said.

Some begrudgingly stood by Trump because of their distaste for Democrats; others expressed faith the president had a plan to bring costs down. It was a testament to the durable, personal bond Trump has built with his base, allowing him to weather multiple crises across his two terms.

"It feels like he hears us," said Bruyette, "that he is fighting for us."

'Willing to sacrifice'

About 25 miles southwest of Wiggins, Jim Miller was elbows-deep in the engine of his ailing Dodge pickup.

A 65-year-old retired commodities broker raised in the liberal city of Boulder who now lives in tiny Prospect Valley, Miller considers himself “half-hippie, half-cowboy.”

He said enduring the momentary pain of high gas prices was worth preventing Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon.

Miller recalled stories of American resilience during World War II, when goods were rationed and households lived with less.

"I struggle, like everybody else does, but I'm willing to sacrifice a little," Miller said. "That's been totally lost in this country, people's willingness to sacrifice."

In the unincorporated town of Roggen was Mike Urbanowicz, a 66-year-old trader with multiple college degrees whose farming cooperative moves 150 truckloads of grain each day.

He voted three times for Trump, but like many interviewed by Reuters, he considers himself a political independent, saying he distrusts the Republican Party nearly as much as their Democratic foes.

Gas prices were hurting his industry, he said, and Trump was “naive” to think he could quickly solve the issue. He expected prices would remain high into the fall, even if there was a breakthrough in stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks.

But he preferred the status quo to Democrats, whom he saw as moving towards "full-blown socialism."

"I voted for Trump because the alternative is so bad," he said.

'All on board'

In Fort Morgan, Lexys Siebrands, 22, lay prone on a table inside the Bad Medicine Inkporium tattoo parlor, smiling through the pain in her left calf, where there were images of a wanted poster, a stagecoach and other Western-themed designs.

A gay woman who recently found Christianity, Siebrands once considered herself a Democrat, but started to think of herself as a Republican around 2022 — citing what she called the hypocrisy of liberals around identity politics — and voted for Trump.

She saw war with Iran as inevitable. "Something was going to happen eventually, whether it was Iran doing something to us or us doing it to them."

Sitting next to her daughter was 49-year-old Jyl Siebrands. She grew up as a political independent but later gravitated towards Republicans.

She said she hated high gas prices, but feared the prospect of a nuclear-armed Tehran even more. “It's just where we are with this war," she said. "People just have to give it time."

Did she have any red lines? Anything that might shake her faith in Trump's handling of the war or the economy?

"No," she said. "I'm all on board."

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; Editing by Jesse Mesner-Hage and David Gaffen)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says Iran war worth economic pain and these rural voters agree