Quick Read
- Tucker Carlson publicly reaffirmed his affection for Donald Trump after the president sharply criticized him over his stance on the Iran war.
- Trump accused Carlson of being “not MAGA” and not smart enough to understand the conflict, while Carlson called the U.S. military action in Iran “disgusting and evil.”
- The public dispute highlights a rift within the Republican party, with Carlson’s anti-war views contrasting with strong GOP support for the operation and Trump’s presidency.
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has publicly reaffirmed his support for President Donald Trump, stating he will “always love him no matter what he says,” following a scathing personal attack from Trump himself. The public exchange escalates a growing rift between the two prominent figures, largely centered on their differing views regarding the recent U.S. military operation in Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury.
Trump’s Criticism of Carlson
The friction became public on Thursday, March 5, when ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl reported that Trump had declared, “Tucker has lost his way,” in a phone interview. Trump further criticized Carlson’s stance on the Middle East conflict, stating, “He’s not MAGA.” He elaborated that “MAGA is saving our country. MAGA is making our country great again. MAGA is America first, and Tucker is none of those things.” The president also questioned Carlson’s intellect, telling Karl, “Tucker is really not smart enough to understand that.”
Carlson’s Response and Stance on Iran War
Carlson, who was dismissed from Fox News, responded to Trump’s remarks within an hour, in a statement shared by former CNN journalist Oliver Darcy. “There are times I get annoyed with Trump, right now definitely included,” Carlson said. “But I’ll always love him no matter what he says about me.” Earlier in the week, on Monday, March 2, Carlson had strongly condemned the U.S. military action against Iran on his show, calling it “absolutely disgusting and evil.” He asserted that the conflict was “Israel’s war. This is not the United States’ war,” and that it was not being waged for American national security or prosperity but “purely because Israel wanted it to be waged.”
Broader Political Divide
Carlson’s anti-war stance on Iran has placed him at odds with a significant portion of the Republican base. Polls indicate that approximately 85% of Republicans support the military operations, with even fewer expressing doubts among the MAGA movement. This widespread support aligns with President Trump’s continued high approval ratings within the party. Meanwhile, figures like conservative commentator Ben Shapiro have sharply criticized Carlson, not only for his views on the Iran conflict but also for his past interviews and platforming of controversial figures, arguing that Carlson is no longer a traditional conservative but a “conspiratorial near-anarchist.”
Context of Operation Epic Fury
Operation Epic Fury, launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and six U.S. soldiers. President Trump had previously expressed pride in the operation, calling Iranian leadership “deranged scumbags” and stating it was an “honor” to be killing them. The U.S. military engagement has been characterized by Trump as a decisive victory, with the Iranian military being “decimated.” Other MAGA-aligned figures, such as Megyn Kelly, have also expressed reservations about the war, echoing Carlson’s sentiments that the U.S. service members may have died for Israel’s interests rather than America’s.
Carlson’s Political Ambitions
Amidst this public spat and his critical commentary on foreign policy, Carlson has also alluded to potential political aspirations. A recent message indicated that he “almost wants to run for president” with the stated goal of debating Senator Ted Cruz. This suggests that despite his public disagreements and the political fallout, Carlson remains a significant voice within conservative circles, engaging in high-profile debates on both foreign policy and the direction of the Republican party.
The public clash between Carlson and Trump highlights a significant fault line within the Republican party regarding foreign policy and loyalty, particularly as the 2026 election cycle approaches. Carlson’s attempts to distance himself from Trump’s foreign policy while simultaneously expressing continued personal affection underscore a complex strategy to maintain influence within the MAGA movement while carving out an independent ideological space.