The Economist criticizes the war against Iran and Trump: "Beware, he is a terrible loser"

The unwritten rule of American politics has long been clear: "Never bet against Donald Trump".

Yet, according to a stern analysis published by The Economist, the current confrontation with Iran presents a perfect storm, capable of intercepting and derailing the trajectory of his second term.

The British weekly warns that this war, deemed "misguided and reckless", is eroding one by one the three "superpowers" that have so far made Trump politically untouchable.

The reckless campaign against Iran will weaken America’s president. That will make him angry. Be warned: he makes a very bad loser https://t.co/UUNQjqewMl pic.twitter.com/qYyimeEMjp

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) March 19, 2026

The first to crack would be his ability to impose a dominant narrative. Although the President continues to proclaim that he has already won, the reality on the ground tells a different story: the Tehran regime is holding firm, its 400 kg of enriched uranium remain intact, and the Iranian military apparatus has triggered a parallel conflict against the global energy infrastructure.

The markets provide immediate testimony: after Tehran's missile attack on a gas hub in Qatar, Brent surpassed $110 a barrel. Time, The Economist emphasizes, plays in favor of Iran, which boasts a large arsenal of drones, while the United States and Israel risk soon exhausting both high-value targets and interceptor missiles.

Even the second superpower, the reckless use of negotiating leverage, is turning against the White House. When Trump tried to force NATO allies to open the Strait of Hormuz, evoking the threat of a future "very ugly," he received a flat refusal. On the contrary, it is Tehran that is setting the terms: by threatening to allow only the ships of "friendly countries" to pass, Iran could push the price of crude oil to $150 a barrel.

A dynamic that risks imposing costly concessions on the United States, such as easing sanctions or even withdrawing military bases from the Middle East.

However, the internal front appears to be the most fragile, jeopardizing the third Trumpian superpower: the absolute control over the Republican Party. Elected with the promise of protecting Americans from inflation and new wars, the President now finds himself accountable for the death of 13 military personnel and a diesel price skyrocketing to $5.09 per gallon.

The weekly describes a party in turmoil: while prominent figures of the MAGA movement, such as Tucker Carlson, speak of betrayal, many Republican lawmakers are reportedly "furious" privately over the President's arrogance and lack of a clear strategy.

The analysis warns that the bill will come due at the polls: as a result of this crisis, Republicans now have a high likelihood of losing the House in the midterm elections, and the chances of also losing the Senate have risen to 50%.

The conclusion drawn by The Economist is a disturbing warning. A politically weakened Trump is unlikely to seek reconciliation; rather, he will aim for retribution. "A weaker president could become more dangerous". Cornered, he might strike at allies, abandon Ukraine, clash with the Federal Reserve, or use government agencies against his internal opponents. The magazine's final remark is blunt: "Beware: he is a terrible loser".