US President Donald Trump hit back at political commentator Tucker Carlson on Monday, following the ex-Fox News journalist’s sharp critique of the administration’s stance on Iran.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon!”
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Earlier, asked about Carlson by a reporter at the G7 summit in Canada, Trump replied, “I don’t know what Tucker Carlson is saying. Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen.” The comment seemed to mock Carlson’s media relevance since leaving Fox News.‘End of American empire’Tucker Carlson has emerged as a vocal critic of the US involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Following Israeli missile strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities that killed several top Iranian officials, Carlson accused Trump of enabling a broader war.He wrote on X that Trump was “complicit in the act of war” and warned that the outcome “will define Donald Trump’s presidency.” He also criticised former Fox News colleagues like Sean Hannity and Mark Levin, calling them “warmongers” for allegedly pushing for direct US military involvement. Speaking on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Carlson said, “I actually really love Trump. I think he’s a deeply humane, kind person. But I’m really afraid that my country’s going to be further weakened by this. I think we’re gonna see the end of the American empire.” Bannon, meanwhile, said “we have to stop” the US from playing any role in the conflict.Friends turn foesCarlson and Bannon have consistently opposed US military involvement in foreign wars, especially in the Middle East.The clash is notable, given their long-standing relationship with Trump. Carlson had supported Trump throughout his presidency, spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, and featured him during a speaking tour. Bannon is also a strong supporter of Trump who served in his administration from January to August 2017.Buckley Carlson, the son of Tucker Carlson, was appointed deputy press secretary to US vice president JD Vance in January.