Poll: Majority of Americans believe Trump attacked Iran to distract from Epstein scandal

A new survey has indicated that a majority of likely American voters believe US President Donald Trump ordered fresh aggression against Iran at least partly to divert attention from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal that has overshadowed his presidency.

The exclusive survey conducted by Drop Site News, Zeteo, and Data for Progress, respectively a news outlet, a media company, and a think tank/polling firm, found that 52% of respondents agreed with the statement that the attacks were intended in part as a distraction from the scandal revolving around the late convicted child sex trafficker, Zeteo reported on its website on Wednesday.

Forty-percent disagreed and eight percent said they were unsure.

The perception has circulated widely online, where Trump’s so-called codename for the conflict, “Operation Epic Fury,” has been rebranded by some commentators and social media users as “Operation Epstein Fury."

Partisan, generational divides

Support for the view that the atrocities were used as a distraction varies significantly across political and demographic groups.

Among Democrats, the belief was strongly held, with 81% agreeing and 14% disagreeing. Among voters under the age of 45, a 66–26 majority agreed with the claim.

Even among Republicans, the survey found that about a quarter of respondents believed the war was launched to divert attention from the Epstein scandal.

The poll surveyed 1,272 likely voters through a national web panel between March 6 and March 8, and was funded by Drop Site News and Zeteo.

Americans divided on Israel’s influence

The survey also examined public perceptions of the Israeli regime’s influence on Trump’s decisions regarding the strikes.

Americans were evenly divided on whether Trump was more responsive to US voters or to the regime.

Forty-seven percent said he was more responsive to the American people, while 46% believed he was more responsive to Tel Aviv.

Among independent voters, 50-44% said Trump prioritized Israeli interests over those of Americans. Among Republicans, 17% held the same view, compared with 75% of Democrats.

When asked whether the Trump administration was pursuing the attacks “primarily for American interests” or “primarily for Israeli interest,” 50% said American interests, 41% said Israeli interests, and 9% were unsure.

Public skepticism

The poll found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the war. Fifty-five percent said they disapproved of the aggression, including 39%, who strongly disapproved, while 42% said they approved.

Many respondents also believed the strikes would negatively affect their lives. Forty-nine percent said they “will make my life more difficult,” compared with 10% who believed it would improve their lives, while one-third said it would have no impact.

Potential electoral consequences

The survey suggested the issue could influence future elections, particularly regarding candidates who support the aggression or additional funding for it.

Among Democratic voters, candidates supporting the aggression could face strong backlash in primary elections. Respondents said they would be 79% less likely to support such candidates in the 2026 congressional elections, with a similar result projected for 2028 presidential candidates.

Republican voters, however, showed the opposite tendency. They would be more likely to support a pro-war candidate by a net 39 points, with only 20% saying such support would make them less likely to back the candidate for president.

In general election scenarios, respondents said they would be 19 points less likely to support congressional or presidential candidates who back the strikes or vote for additional funding.

Views on Iran’s missile capabilities

Despite skepticism towards the strikes, respondents expressed strong concern about Iran’s military capabilities.

By a margin of 83-13%, voters said it was important to them that the Islamic Republic be prevented from possessing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the occupied territories.

Only 13% agreed with the statement that the country should be allowed to possess such missiles because “countries have a right to defend themselves,” while 14% said the issue was not a concern of the United States.

Awareness of deadly attack on girls’ school

The survey also asked voters about their awareness of an attack on a girls’ school in southern Iran that led to the martyrdom of more than 175 people, mostly young girls.

A 32% plurality said they had heard nothing at all about the incident, while 23% said they had heard a little, 29% said they had heard some, and 16% said they had heard a lot.

Among those who were aware of the incident, 70% believed it was carried out by either the Israeli regime, the United States, or both together.

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