Tucker Carlson Slams Trump: Is 'America First' Dead?
Tucker Carlson speaking with attendees at the 2020 Student Action Summit. Photo by Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
In a stunning twist shaking the foundations of the MAGA movement, Tucker Carlson — once one of President Donald Trump's most loyal defenders — has publicly criticized Trump for backing Israel's recent preemptive strikes on Iran. Carlson's blistering critique, delivered in a June 13 newsletter, accused Trump of abandoning the "America First" principles that helped fuel his rise, warning that the president's support for military escalation risks dragging the U.S. into a wider war. This isn't just a spat between pundits — it's a sharp fracture in a once-reliable alliance, exposing deep divisions within Trump's base at a volatile moment in global politics.
The Final Newsletter Before All-Out War?
Carlson's newsletter described the Israeli strikes on Iran as a dangerous pivot toward all-out conflict, placing partial responsibility on Trump for enabling the attacks. While the American military may not have physically launched the strikes, Carlson wrote that years of U.S. funding and weapons support for Israel make the U.S. "complicit" in the act of war, as reported by the Independent. He argued that politicians who claim to champion America First can no longer credibly deny their role in the unfolding crisis. Carlson's words came with a tone of urgency and disillusionment, signaling a growing rift within the MAGA movement.
Trump's Response: Defining America First on His Own Terms
Trump rejected Carlson's criticism, asserting that as the originator of the modern America First movement, he alone decides what it means to put the U.S. first. In an interview with The Atlantic, Trump 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," as reported by the New York Post. He framed his support for Israel as consistent with America First principles, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved if Iran is allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
Despite initially distancing his administration from Israel's aggressive posture, Trump later publicly supported Israel's right to defend itself and warned Iran against attacking American interests. He reiterated that the U.S. was not involved in the Israeli strikes but made clear that any attack on the U.S. would be met with unprecedented military force.
A Base Divided: The America First Movement at a Crossroads
The Israeli strikes and the U.S. response have exposed a deep divide within Trump's base. While many Republicans and Democrats cheered Israel's actions, a significant faction of the right-wing, particularly younger MAGA supporters, view unconditional support for Israel as a betrayal of America First ideals. Influential voices like Carlson and Senator Rand Paul have cautioned against U.S. involvement in foreign wars that do not serve American interests, warning that such conflicts undermine domestic priorities and risk dragging the country into endless military engagements.
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a vocal Israel supporter, acknowledged that the MAGA base largely opposes war with Iran and U.S. military involvement in the conflict. This sentiment reflects a broader skepticism among Republicans under 50, half of whom reportedly hold an unfavorable view of Israel, according to a Pew Research Center survey cited by Al Jazeera.
The Diplomatic Dance: Trump's Push for Peace Amid Escalation
Trump's public statements reveal a complex balancing act. While he has endorsed Israel's right to strike Iran's nuclear facilities and military targets, he has also expressed a desire for diplomacy to succeed. Prior to the attacks, Trump urged Iranian officials to reach a deal to dismantle their nuclear program, warning that failure to do so would have dire consequences. Yet, the timing of Israel's strikes — which Trump allegedly knew about in advance — disrupted planned negotiations and escalated tensions in the region.
Experts suggest that Trump's zero-tolerance stance on uranium enrichment led to a deadlock in talks, which Israel then used to justify military action. Some analysts allege that Trump "engaged in deception" by publicly supporting diplomacy while privately allowing or encouraging Israel's preemptive strikes, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The Stakes: Political Fallout and the Midterm Elections
The rift between Trump and Carlson reflects broader concerns about the political consequences of the conflict. Some warn that a direct strike on Iran could fracture the Trump coalition, allegedly alienating swing-state voters who supported Trump's anti-war message in 2024. Podcaster Jack Posobiec warned that military escalation risks costing Republicans the midterm elections, highlighting the delicate balance Trump must maintain between hawkish supporters and America First skeptics.
Mollie Hemingway, editor of a right-wing publication, suggested that giving Israel a "green light" to attack Iran "would be seen as an unforgivable betrayal by millions of American voters," as reported by the Independent. The debate over foreign policy is now one of the most divisive issues within the conservative movement, threatening to reshape alliances and political loyalties.
Why This Could Blow up Fast
The growing distance between Trump and Carlson is more than a personal feud — it's a sign of a movement at a crossroads. Trump's embrace of Israel's military campaign challenges the anti-interventionist wing of his base, forcing supporters to choose between loyalty to the president and adherence to America First principles.
As missiles continue to fly between Israel and Iran, and the U.S. supports Israel's missile defense, the risk of a wider regional war looms large. The political fallout from this conflict could redefine the Republican Party's identity and influence the outcome of upcoming elections.
For you, the reader, this unfolding drama offers a front-row seat to a political schism unfolding in real time — a battle for the soul of America First and Trump's legacy.
References: Tucker turns on Trump: Ex-Fox News host blasts 'complicit' president for backing Israel after attacks on Iran | Trump refutes Tucker Carlson's criticism he abandoned 'America First' by supporting Israel | 'Drop Israel': How military escalation with Iran divides Trump's base
