The far-right extremist group known as the Proud Boys lashed out at President Donald Trump over the weekend following U.S. airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities, signaling a sharp and unexpected rupture with the leader they once fervently supported.
The strikes, which targeted Iran’s underground uranium enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, drew condemnation across the political spectrum. But the response from the Proud Boys was especially fierce — and vulgar.
“F— this s—,” read a post from the group’s official Telegram channel, alongside a screenshot of Trump celebrating the mission’s success on Truth Social.
Backlash from the Right
Just days before the strike, the Proud Boys warned that any U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict could cost Trump their loyalty. Fighting what they labeled “a war for Israel” was, according to the group, not part of the deal when they backed him in the 2024 election.
Following the bombings, their anger boiled over. Another post mocked Trump, contrasting images of him on the campaign trail with an unflattering photo meant to insult his intellect and competence as president.
The Proud Boys, known for their role in the January 6 Capitol riot, have long aligned themselves with ultra-nationalist, anti-immigrant, and anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies. Their brand of “Western chauvinism” is rooted in claims of cultural superiority and a refusal to apologize for it. Their support for Trump has typically been unwavering — until now.
Fallout After Pardons
Trump’s relationship with the Proud Boys was significantly strengthened earlier this year when, shortly after returning to office in January, he issued blanket pardons for many of the January 6 rioters. Among them was Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who had been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in organizing the Capitol attack — the harshest sentence handed down in those cases.
Tarrio, who was released after Trump’s pardon, praised the former president and vowed retaliation against the government officials who prosecuted him. In May, he was even photographed with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where they briefly met while dining.
At the time, the reunion appeared to mark a full reconciliation between the group and the president. But the events of this past weekend suggest otherwise.
What’s Next?
Trump has yet to comment publicly on the Proud Boys’ backlash. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
While Trump has framed the airstrikes as a necessary move to protect global security and curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, far-right groups like the Proud Boys see it as a betrayal — a step too far into foreign entanglements they fundamentally oppose.
Whether this marks a permanent rift between Trump and one of his most vocal extremist support bases remains to be seen. But for now, the alliance appears fractured, and the fallout could have implications for Trump’s standing among hardline nationalist voters heading into a volatile election season.
