As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, the possibility of U.S. military involvement, suggested by President Donald Trump, has sparked significant discord among his influential supporters online, marking an unusual occurrence within the pro-Trump media landscape.
Following Israel’s military actions against Iran, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson expressed his discontent with Trump’s stance in a newsletter titled “An Act of War, Sponsored by the United States.” He elaborated on his objections in an interview with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon on Bannon’s War Room podcast.
In response, President Trump took to Truth Social, stating, “Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” His response drew immediate backlash from multiple pro-Trump influencers who openly supported Carlson and contradicted Trump’s position on the matter.
Candace Owens, a well-known commentator, tweeted her surprise, saying, “Donald Trump just completely fractured his base. Truly unbelievable,” shortly after Trump’s post.
Representative Marjorie Taylor-Greene, one of Trump’s staunch congressional allies, also defended Carlson, declaring on X, “Tucker Carlson is one of my favorite people. Foreign wars/intervention/regime change put America last, kill innocent people, are making us broke, and will ultimately lead to our destruction. That’s not kooky.”
InfoWars host Alex Jones weighed in, criticizing Trump for attacking Carlson, asserting, “Trump attacking @TuckerCarlson for not supporting a new WORLD WAR is not something any sane person should support! This is the stuff NIGHTMARES are MADE of…”
According to Daniel Silverman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University specializing in information dissemination during conflicts, Carlson’s consistent anti-war sentiment regarding Iran dates back to the first Trump administration, marking a notable shift as he and other influencers publicly confront the former president’s views.
Polls indicate that many Americans are wary of military engagement with Iran. A recent YouGov/Economist poll revealed that 60% of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, oppose U.S. military involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Bipartisan efforts are underway in Congress as representatives including Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) seek to mandate congressional approval before any military intervention in the situation. Legislative attempts during Trump’s first term to achieve a similar goal were unsuccessful due to the president’s veto power.
But within certain right-wing circles, Trump’s position has received backing. Laura Loomer, an activist in close proximity to Trump, stated, “America First is whatever President Trump says it is,” showcasing unwavering loyalty.
Charlie Kirk, an activist who played a pivotal role in Trump’s election campaign, expressed his trust in the former president, posting on X, “Moments like this I have full and complete trust in President Trump.”
Others attempted to maintain a tone of unity among the conservative base. Prominent far-right figure Jack Posobiec warned that discussions of regime change wars could disrupt the MAGA Coalition, stating on X, “When people warn that regime change war would break up the MAGA Coalition, consider that is exactly what the neocons want.”
Furthermore, Posobiec suggested that Trump’s fiery rhetoric might be strategically beneficial to his domestic agenda, posing hypothetically, “What if 20 million illegals were suddenly disappeared while cable news is focused on the Middle East? Chess not checkers.”
Vice President JD Vance took to X, assuring followers that Trump prioritizes the American people’s goals in any military decisions.
On a broader level, major right-wing news platforms have remained largely supportive of U.S. backing for Israel. Howard Polskin, who monitors right-wing media through his website The Righting, noted that while the rhetoric is more supportive of Trump’s strongman image, articles thus far have been cautious, not detailing the potential for ground troops, although this could change in the coming days.
Shortly after Vance’s comments, President Trump intensified his rhetoric by asserting, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding” and subsequently called for “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” signaling a shift to a more aggressive stance in the ongoing conflict.
image source from：npr
