Leading conservative figures have publicly criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the Iran war, exposing rifts in his once-loyal media support base. The sharpest criticisms have come from former Fox News personalities Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson.
Key Takeaways
Conservative figures have publicly criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the Iran war, exposing rifts in his once-loyal media support base. Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson have been vocal critics, while others like Sean Hannity and Mark Levin continue to back Trump. The White House defends Trump's rationale for the war.
Kelly questioned whether American soldiers were losing their lives 'for Iran or Israel' after six U.S. servicemen were killed in military strikes on Iran. She also warned that Trump risks eroding his support among women if he continues with the conflict, citing polling data showing a gender divide in public opinion.
Carlson, now hosting an independent podcast, told ABC News that the attack was 'absolutely disgusting and evil,' going so far as to suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the decision to go to war, not the United States. Matt Walsh, a Daily Wire host, also criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks about the conflict.
Despite these criticisms, most conservative media figures continue to support Trump. Fox News personalities like Sean Hannity, Brian Kilmeade, and Mark Levin have been vociferous in their backing of the president's actions. Howard Polskin, publisher of The Righting newsletter, estimated that about 95% of monitored conservative websites are behind the president.
The White House has responded to the criticism by defending Trump's rationale for the war. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a lengthy response on X explaining that 'the terrorist Iranian regime would not say yes to peace.' The administration maintains that most of Trump's supporters will return to the fold if they're unhappy with the Iran attack.
President Trump has cast out Tucker Carlson from his Make America Great Again movement following Carlson’s criticism of the US and Israeli assault on Iran. 'Tucker has lost his way,' Trump told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl. 'I knew that a long time ago, and he’s not MAGA.' Along with consigning the podcast host to the land of MAGA has-beens, Trump took a victory lap on his Iran decision, calling the operation a success.
Like Carlson, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green has taken an anti-Trump turn as of late, blasting the president for his administration’s handling of the Epstein files and raging over the decision to attack Iran. Trump hasn’t held back in his criticism of Greene, calling her decision last year to leave Congress 'great news' for the US.
Many Republicans have been much more supportive of Trump’s decision to launch the military operation. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on social media, 'The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us. God bless President Trump, our military and our allies in Israel.' Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) provided a rare Dem voice praising the president’s move.
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