Donald Trump and prominent MAGA allies are locked in an increasingly public feud over America's stance toward Iran, with the president targeting popular conservative commentator Tucker Carlson with a new nickname. The conflict has exposed growing divisions within the MAGA movement about foreign policy.
According to the Daily Mail, Trump called Carlson "kooky" on social media Monday night after the former Fox News host criticized the president's approach to Iran and suggested Trump had abandoned his "America First" principles.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, typically one of Trump's closest allies in Congress, immediately defended Carlson following the president's comments. She praised the commentator as "one of my favorite people" who "fiercely loves his wife, children, and our country" while arguing against American involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Trump's frustration with Carlson became evident during a G7 press conference where he snapped at reporters asking about the commentator's criticism. "I don't know what Tucker Carlson is saying. Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen," Trump said, dismissing Carlson's current independent media venture.
The president doubled down on Truth Social later, writing in all caps: "Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!" He further emphasized his position with another post stating "AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON."
Carlson has maintained that he "loves" President Trump and wants him to succeed but warned that full-scale war with Iran would "effectively end" Trump's presidency. The media personality has urged the president to prioritize peace rather than allowing Israel to pull America into a broader Middle Eastern conflict.
Greene's defense of Carlson signals a growing rift within Trump's base over foreign policy priorities. The Georgia congresswoman made clear where her loyalties lie in this particular disagreement through her strong social media response.
"Tucker Carlson is one of my favorite people. He fiercely loves his wife, children, and our country," Greene wrote. She pointedly added that her beliefs are "unapologetically" aligned with Carlson's when it comes to avoiding foreign entanglements.
The firebrand representative concluded her defense with a direct reference to Trump's new nickname for Carlson: "That's not kooky. That's what millions of Americans voted for. It's what we believe is America First." DailyMail.com reported that they reached out to the White House for comment on Greene's statement but did not include any response.
The conflict centers around competing interpretations of Trump's signature "America First" foreign policy. During a conversation with The Atlantic, Trump pushed back on Carlson's framing of the Iran issue.
"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 stated definitively. He characterized Carlson's distinction between "warmongers and peacemakers" as naive.
Trump emphasized that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is central to his vision of American security. "For those people who say they want peace - you can't have peace if Iran has a nuclear weapon," he explained, adding that this principle applies "regardless - Israel or not Israel."
The public disagreement highlights growing tensions between isolationist and interventionist factions within Trump's base. Carlson has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of what he views as a shift in Trump's foreign policy priorities.
In a newsletter released Friday, Carlson went so far as to accuse Trump of being "complicit in an act of war" regarding Israel's actions against Iran. The commentator has urged Trump to deliver a "tough" message to Israel, suggesting the president should prioritize American interests over unconditional support for the Middle Eastern ally.
The dispute comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Trump cutting short his G7 attendance in Calgary on Monday evening to handle the crisis. This public disagreement between high-profile MAGA figures underscores the challenges Trump faces in maintaining unity within his political coalition while navigating complex international situations.
