Devotion to Trump stays strong in town making missiles for US war in Iran

August 12, 2026

The Appalachian town of Kingsport, Tennessee, home to the Holston Army Ammunition Plant that produces missiles and explosives for the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, maintains strong support for President Trump despite his declining national approval ratings. While Trump's popularity has dropped to a historic low of 32 percent nationally due to the war and rising costs for gas and groceries, Kingsport residents continue backing him with near-religious devotion, having voted overwhelmingly for him in three elections. Many locals either support the military action or rationalize its necessity, despite Trump's campaign promises of ending wars, and they largely refuse to hold him responsible for economic hardships.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump (experiencing historic low approval ratings of 32%)
Kingsport, Tennessee residents (population 58,000)
The approximately 1,000 employees of the Holston Army Ammunition Plant
Veterans (representing about 10% of the region's population)
Households with active duty military family members
US businesses relying on transport (affected by gas price spikes)
Republican voters nationally (expressing disillusionment with Trump's policies)
Specific individuals quoted: Pam Robinson (65), David Carter (66), James Camper (63), Daniel Overstreet (53)

What action is being taken

The Holston Army Ammunition Plant is churning out explosives used in Patriot missiles, warheads, and other heavy weaponry
The U.S. is conducting a costly and prolonged war with Iran
Gas prices are spiking to above $4 a gallon

Why it matters

This situation matters because it reveals how local economic interests can insulate political support even when national sentiment turns negative. Despite Trump's historic approval rating decline driven by the Iran War and cost of living increases, Kingsport's dependence on munitions manufacturing creates a community whose economic survival is tied to the very conflict damaging the president nationally. The story illustrates the complex relationship between defense industry employment, regional politics, and war support, showing how geographic and economic factors can create vastly different political realities within the same country. It also demonstrates how voters may rationalize policy failures or redirect blame away from preferred candidates when their livelihoods depend on controversial government actions.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC