Trump Responds to Carlson’s Criticism Over Support for Israel
President Trump has dismissed the critiques from right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, who expressed concerns about America straying from its core principles in favor of supporting Israel during its military actions against Iran.
Carlson, a known ally of Trump, was outspoken about Israel’s recent strikes on Iran, calling out politicians for failing to take a firm stand. He lamented that these leaders seem helpless to change the situation, expressing frustration over what he described as “complaining the act of war.”
In response, Trump stated he was unfamiliar with Carlson’s remarks, but asserted that as a key figure in the “America First” movement, he feels qualified to define what that principle entails. “I created the term ‘America First,’ and since it wasn’t in use before my time, I believe it falls to me to make that determination,” he stated during a conversation with the Atlantic.
He further explained that anyone genuinely advocating for peace should recognize that a nuclear-armed Iran poses a significant threat. “For those who aim for peace—if Iran possesses nuclear weapons, true peace is unattainable. The people who oppose Iran having these weapons should understand that,” he emphasized.
Initially, the Trump administration had taken a cautious approach towards Israel’s aggressiveness toward Iran. He had previously warned reporters, “I don’t want them to come in, so I don’t want them to come in.” [an attack], fearing it would derail U.S. negotiations with Tehran.
Upon news of Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, which involved eliminating key scientists and military figures, Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly clarified that “we are not involved in strikes against Iran.”
Trump also recalled how Iran surpassed the 60-day deadline he had imposed to reach an agreement, which, he suggested, prompted Iran to scale back its nuclear ambitions.
Carlson has consistently shown skepticism toward hawkish foreign policies, advising against military confrontation with Iran. He noted that while the U.S. military may not directly attack, it is still providing ongoing support to Israel through funding and military equipment. “Donald Trump has just played into this narrative, placing the U.S. squarely in the center of the issue,” he said.
He added, “Washington was aware these attacks were imminent. They assisted Israel in carrying them out,” insisting that politicians claiming to represent America can’t just backtrack and remain credible.
Meanwhile, Israel is working to bolster its defenses against possible retaliation from Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that the latest strike was merely the start of a larger campaign.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned of dark times ahead for Israel, stating, “They started it. They began a war.”
The preemptive strike from Israel comes at a fraught moment for Iran, which has faced significant setbacks, particularly regarding its influence in the region with weakened proxy forces. The anticipated discussions between U.S. and Iranian officials on the nuclear program were canceled in light of the recent military actions.
Following the attacks, Trump reiterated the U.S. position, confirming that American forces were not involved and cautioning Iran against targeting U.S. assets. “The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran tonight,” he stated via social media.
He added, “If you are attacked in any form by Iran, the full power and capabilities of the U.S. military will be unleashed in a way you have never experienced. However, a peaceful resolution between Iran and Israel is still possible to end this conflict!”
