The clash between President Donald Trump and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has intensified over America’s role in the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump dismissed Carlson’s criticism of U.S. support for Israel’s recent military actions against Iran, mockingly suggesting that Carlson should “go get a television network” to make his views heard. Has Trump betrayed his America First principles by supporting Israel’s strikes?
Trump Dismisses Carlson’s Criticism
President Donald Trump has publicly rebuked Tucker Carlson following the commentator’s harsh criticism of U.S. involvement in Israel’s recent military strikes against Iran. “I don’t know what Tucker Carlson is saying. Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen,” Trump stated dismissively, escalating tensions between two influential conservative figures.
The conflict began when Carlson published a newsletter titled “This Could Be the Final Newsletter Before All-Out War,” accusing Trump of complicity in Israel’s actions. In response, Trump took to Truth Social, calling Carlson “kooky” and emphasizing his position that “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”
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(15:30)… pic.twitter.com/PdUZFiUNNZ— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 16, 2025
America First vs. Israel Support
At the heart of this dispute is Carlson’s accusation that Trump has abandoned his “America First” doctrine by supporting Israeli military operations. “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,” Carlson argued in his newsletter.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the attacks by claiming Iran was nearing completion of a nuclear weapon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that while the U.S. was not directly involved in Israel’s strikes, American forces did help intercept Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.
I love Tucker Carlson but I find it funny how everyone is so quick to forget how he turned on Trump when he needed him most less than 4 years ago. If Trump says you’re Kooky you’re Kooky
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) June 17, 2025
MAGA Movement Divided
The public disagreement has exposed growing divisions within the MAGA movement regarding foreign policy priorities. Carlson, who appeared on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, expressed personal admiration for Trump while voicing serious concerns: “I actually really love Trump. I think he’s a deeply humane, kind person. But I’m really afraid that my country’s going to be further weakened by this.”
Since being fired from Fox News in August 2023, Carlson has maintained significant influence through his podcast and social media presence. His podcast averages 250,000 listens per episode on Spotify, while his YouTube channel has garnered over 4 million subscribers, though this reach falls short of the 3.3 million daily viewers he commanded at Fox News.
Trump has emphasized that the U.S. was not directly involved in Israel’s military strikes but left open the possibility of future involvement. He also expressed belief in a forthcoming nuclear deal with Iran while reiterating his position that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, a stance that aligns with traditional Republican foreign policy but potentially conflicts with isolationist elements within his base.
Carlson has defended his stance against allegations of anti-Semitism, clarifying: “If Israel wants to wage this war, it has every right to do so. It is a sovereign country, and it can do as it pleases. But not with America’s backing.” This nuanced position reflects broader conservative debates about the proper limits of American military support for allies.