President Donald Trump sharply dismissed fellow conservative Tucker Carlson’s criticism of U.S. support for Israeli strikes on Iran, intensifying a debate within his base over foreign intervention and the future direction of MAGA foreign policy.
At a Glance
- Trump attacked Carlson for questioning Israeli strikes, calling him “kooky” on social media.
- Carlson warned U.S. support for Israel violates MAGA’s non-interventionist stance.
- Trump claimed sole authority to define the “America First” doctrine.
- Republican hawks and isolationists are increasingly divided over foreign policy.
- The internal GOP rift may shape strategy for the 2026 midterm elections.
Carlson Objects, Trump Explodes
Tucker Carlson warned that America’s support for Israeli strikes on Iran was a “betrayal” of MAGA principles. The conservative commentator said such action would make the U.S. “complicit in an act of war.” In response, Trump lashed out, posting: “Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that ‘IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!’” as reported by the Times of India.
Carlson’s stance reflects growing concern among non-interventionist conservatives that Trump’s recent foreign policy moves are a departure from his earlier “America First” positions.
MAGA Divided Over Strategy
Trump’s comments underscore an intensifying rift between two major factions within the Republican Party. One side, led by Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, favors isolationism and urges restraint in the Middle East. The other, including Sen. Lindsey Graham and other hawks, supports robust backing for Israeli military actions against Iran. As highlighted by The Guardian, the divide could become a defining challenge for Trump’s political movement.
Watch a report: Trump Rebuffs Tucker Carlson on Iran Strategy.
Trump Reclaims America First
Trump made clear that, in his view, America First means supporting Israel’s defense at any cost. “I decide what America First means,” he told aides, according to The Daily Beast. That definition, which includes preemptive strikes to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, has reignited concern among those who supported Trump’s 2016 anti-interventionist platform.
According to the Financial Times, Trump’s early exit from the G7 to convene the National Security Council further solidified his positioning as the face of American decisiveness on Iran.
Implications Ahead of 2026
The MAGA schism could carry major consequences in upcoming elections. Trump’s base is no longer unified on foreign policy, and how he handles critics like Carlson may determine whether the movement remains cohesive. With midterms looming, Trump’s framing of America First—and who gets to define it—will be put to a critical test.
