The United States’ decision to bomb three underground Iranian uranium enrichment facilities over the weekend has ignited fears of a new war in the Middle East—and triggered a surprising backlash from one of Donald Trump’s most loyal extremist fan bases: the Proud Boys.
Shortly after the strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, Trump posted a triumphant message on Truth Social boasting about the mission’s success. But members of the far-right Proud Boys expressed outrage, signaling that their support for Trump may be eroding.
“F*** this s***,” read a blunt message from the group’s Telegram channel, posted directly above a screenshot of Trump’s celebratory remarks. The group—best known for its role in the January 6 Capitol attack—warned just last week that if Trump pulled the U.S. into a war involving Iran and Israel, it would be a dealbreaker for them.
They appear to be making good on that warning.
On Telegram, one post juxtaposed images of Trump the candidate and Trump the president, mocking him with a doctored, offensive photo intended to ridicule his current leadership. The Proud Boys, whose ideology is built around misogyny, anti-immigrant sentiment, and homophobia, are no strangers to inflammatory messaging—but their ire now seems pointed at the man they once hailed as their champion.
The White House did not comment on the group’s statements as of Monday.
Trump’s military action comes just months after returning to office in January. One of his earliest acts was granting sweeping pardons to January 6 participants, including Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Tarrio had been sentenced to 22 years for his role in planning the attack—the harshest penalty handed down to any defendant—but walked free following Trump’s pardon.
The move solidified Trump’s standing with the group, at least temporarily. In May, Tarrio even met Trump briefly at Mar-a-Lago while dining with his mother, in what was described as a cordial exchange. Trump reportedly told Tarrio he believed he and other January 6 defendants had been “treated very unfairly.”
But the bond appears to be fraying.
The Proud Boys’ growing discontent—rooted in their belief that Trump is now prioritizing foreign wars over their nationalist agenda—underscores a deepening divide between the former president and parts of his far-right base. Whether that rift will last, or simply flare up temporarily, remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is clear: Trump’s latest foreign policy move has sparked fury from even his most radical supporters.
