Conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump, accusing him of being “complicit” in Israel’s recent military strike on Iran. In a statement published June 13 through his newsletter, Carlson argued that despite Trump’s public opposition to a direct conflict, years of U.S. financial and military support for Israel — including under Trump’s leadership — have placed America at the center of the hostilities. The remarks mark a significant escalation in tensions between Carlson and Trump, both of whom remain influential within the Republican Party.
Carlson’s statement specifically referenced Trump’s recent comments on Truth Social, where the former president praised American-made weapons used by Israeli forces. Carlson wrote that such admissions only reinforce the perception of U.S. involvement, stating, “years of funding and sending weapons to Israel… undeniably place the U.S. at the center of last night’s events.” He went further, calling on the United States to completely disengage from Israel’s military actions, saying, “The United States should not at any level participate in a war with Iran. No funding, no American weapons, no troops on the ground. If Israel wants to wage this war, it has every right to do so—but not with America’s backing.”
In his criticism, Carlson named several conservative figures, including Sean Hannity and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, labeling them “warmongers” and accusing them of misleading the American public about the implications of U.S. support for Israel. He warned that ongoing involvement could result in American casualties and long-term entanglement in a regional conflict, which, according to Carlson, would contradict the “America First” principles central to Trump’s original campaign.
The comments have exposed growing divisions within the Republican Party. While some Trump-aligned figures, including Senator Rand Paul and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, echoed Carlson’s warnings about escalation and the risks of U.S. involvement, others such as Senator Lindsey Graham have praised Israel’s actions and reiterated the strategic importance of U.S.-Israel cooperation. Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, noted that Carlson’s criticism reflects broader concerns among right-leaning voters, particularly those who expected Trump’s foreign policy to prioritize non-interventionism.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump confirmed that he was aware of Israel’s planned operations and acknowledged that U.S.-supplied equipment had played a role. However, he denied that American troops were involved and emphasized that the strike was carried out independently by Israel. Trump stated that his administration’s posture remained focused on deterrence, claiming he had previously “tried to save” Iran from confrontation but ultimately supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
The unfolding controversy comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East and could have implications for the 2026 midterm elections. Carlson’s direct challenge to Trump’s foreign policy approach marks one of the most public and pointed rifts within the MAGA movement to date, raising questions about the future direction of the Republican platform on issues of international conflict.
