Trump vs. Tucker Carlson: The Feud Heating Up Over Israel and Iran
So, the drama between Donald Trump and his former Fox News buddy Tucker Carlson just hit a new peak this week, and it’s not the usual political back-and-forth — it’s personal, heated, and full of sharp words.
Here’s the gist: Tucker Carlson, once one of Fox’s biggest names before getting booted in 2023, threw serious shade at Trump over the recent Israel-Iran conflict. Carlson accused Trump of being “complicit” in Israel’s military strikes against Iran — a claim that Trump isn’t taking lying down.
Trump’s Take: “Nobody’s Listening to Tucker Carlson”
On Monday, Trump took a jab at Carlson during a press encounter, basically dismissing him. “I don’t know what Tucker Carlson is saying,” Trump said bluntly. “Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen.”
Ouch. That’s like telling a former top-rated TV host to go find a new stage if he wants to be heard. For Trump, it’s a clear way of saying Carlson’s views just aren’t carrying weight anymore.
What Tucker Carlson Said and Why It Matters
Back on Friday, just days after Israel launched deadly airstrikes killing hundreds of Iranians, Carlson fired off a fiery newsletter. He didn’t mince words, pointing fingers directly at Trump and the broader American involvement.
Here’s a key excerpt from Carlson’s newsletter:
“While the American military may not have physically perpetrated the assault, years of funding and sending weapons to Israel, which Donald Trump just bragged about on Truth Social, undeniably place the U.S. at the center of last night’s events.”
In plain English: even if U.S. boots weren’t on the ground in Iran, America’s been deep in the mix for a while — sending weapons, funding Israel’s military, and basically helping make the attack possible.
Carlson went on:
“Politicians purporting to be America First can’t now credibly turn around and say they had nothing to do with it. Our country is in deep.”
It’s a pretty stark critique. Carlson’s basically calling out Trump and others who claim to prioritize America but have been involved in fueling overseas conflicts behind the scenes.
Trump’s Response: The ‘America First’ Founder Speaks
Trump hit back Saturday during an interview with The Atlantic, defending his role and the term “America First.”
Here’s what he said:
“Well, considering that I’m the one that developed ‘America First,’ and considering that the term wasn’t used until I came along, I think I’m the one that decides that.”
Trump doubled down on his stance about Iran’s nuclear threat, explaining why he supports a tough approach:
“For those people who say they want peace—you can’t have peace if Iran has a nuclear weapon. So for all of those wonderful people who don’t want to do anything about Iran having a nuclear weapon—that’s not peace.”
So, in Trump’s eyes, peace isn’t possible if Iran gets nuclear weapons, and American support of Israel’s defense is justified.
Carlson Stands His Ground — And Then Some
But Carlson isn’t backing off. On Monday, he appeared on Steve Bannon’s podcast — yes, that Steve Bannon, Trump’s controversial former strategist — and doubled down on his criticism.
Here’s what he said:
“You’re not going to convince me that the Iranian people are my enemy.”
That’s a pretty powerful line. Carlson is trying to separate the Iranian government’s actions from the people themselves. It’s a subtle but important distinction — suggesting that the U.S. shouldn’t rush into war based on political leaders’ agendas.
He also added:
“The U.S. is on the cusp of entering a war on behalf of a political leader in a faraway country that’s going to really hurt my country.”
And finally:
“I just don’t want my country to be further weakened or destroyed by another one of these wars.”
That’s a concern that resonates with many Americans, especially after years of costly conflicts in the Middle East.
Breaking Down What This Feud Means
This isn’t just a TV spat — it highlights a real divide in American politics and public opinion on foreign policy:
-
Trump’s camp sees a strong U.S.-Israel alliance and tough stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions as vital to America’s security.
-
Carlson’s perspective is more skeptical of U.S. military involvement, emphasizing the costs and risks of getting dragged into foreign wars, especially in a region as volatile as the Middle East.
Why Should You Care?
-
Impact on U.S. foreign policy: The fight between Trump and Carlson mirrors a larger debate about whether America should continue its role as a global enforcer or pull back from international conflicts.
-
Influence on voters: Both men have huge followings — Trump with his base of millions, Carlson with a more independent, often right-leaning audience. Their feud could sway opinions, especially among conservatives who are divided on foreign engagement.
-
The Iran-Israel conflict: The stakes are high — this isn’t just political posturing. The conflict has real consequences, including the risk of escalation that could pull the U.S. deeper into another war.
What’s Next?
This feud probably isn’t over anytime soon. Trump’s already signaling that he’s dismissive of Carlson’s commentary, while Carlson seems determined to keep challenging Trump’s narrative.
Keep an eye out for:
-
More sharp exchanges on social media and interviews
-
Potential shifts in conservative media messaging about Iran and Israel
-
How these disagreements might affect GOP unity as future elections approach
Quick Recap — The Must-Know Points:
-
Tucker Carlson accuses Trump of being “complicit” in Israel’s deadly airstrikes on Iran due to U.S. weapons and funding.
-
Trump brushes Carlson off, telling him to get a TV network if he wants attention.
-
Carlson worries America’s about to be dragged into another costly war that weakens the country.
-
Trump insists “America First” means standing strong against Iran’s nuclear ambitions to ensure peace.
-
The clash shows deep divisions in how conservatives view U.S. foreign involvement and America’s role in Middle East conflicts.
Final Thoughts
No matter which side you lean toward, this feud between Trump and Carlson highlights a major crossroads for America. Do we keep playing a heavy role in foreign conflicts, or do we pull back and focus on internal strength? It’s a debate with no easy answers — but the fireworks between these two giants sure make it one heck of a story to watch.
Login