As the Middle East heats up, so does the clash of opinions within the conservative movement back home.
Former President Donald Trump is once again defending his stance on foreign policy, especially after sharp criticism from former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who accused him of abandoning his ‘America First’ vision.
Carlson Slams Trump for Supporting Israel’s Military Actions
Tucker Carlson, known for his fiery takes and staunch anti-intervention views, recently accused Trump of being “complicit in an act of war” by supporting Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iran.
In a newsletter and across social media, Carlson doubled down, calling out conservative voices around Trump as “warmongers” and warning that dragging the U.S. into a foreign conflict would be a betrayal of MAGA values.
He specifically criticized political commentator Mark Levin, claiming Levin visited the White House to push for a war with Iran.
“He’s not going to fight. He wants American troops to do it,” Carlson said.
Trump Stands Firm on ‘America First’ Vision
In response, Trump didn’t mince words. In an interview with The Atlantic, he firmly declared that the “America First” concept is his creation—one that he alone defines.
Brushing off Carlson’s criticisms, Trump insisted that real peace isn’t possible if Iran gets nuclear weapons.
“You can’t have peace if Iran has a nuclear bomb,” he said.
“Whether it’s about Israel or not, Iran must never have nuclear weapons.”
Veto Drama: Trump Reportedly Blocked Israeli Plan to Kill Khamenei
A significant development over the weekend added fuel to the fire.
Two U.S. officials told Reuters that Trump recently vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The plan was part of Israel’s broader escalation effort, but Trump’s refusal to green-light the move signaled that, despite the optics, he’s drawing some red lines.
Meanwhile, Israel is charging ahead with its military operations.
On Friday, it launched “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s top military leadership and nuclear infrastructure.
MAGA Allies Now Split Over Foreign Policy
The situation has put Trump in a tight spot with some of his MAGA base.
While he campaigned hard on keeping the U.S. out of foreign wars, recent developments have sparked concern among those who believed in that promise.
Carlson warned that a war with Iran would “end Trump’s presidency” and be seen as a betrayal by many of his supporters.
Others like Levin, however, claim there’s no manipulation or secret lobbying happening.
Speaking on his radio show, Levin said he and Trump are friends and that Trump is fully aware of where he stands on Iran. He dismissed the criticism as media spin.
Trump Says U.S. Not Involved — Yet
On Sunday morning, Trump attempted to reassure the public.
During an interview with ABC News, he clarified that the United States was not involved in Israel’s attacks on Iran—at least not yet.
“We’re not involved in it. It’s possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved,” he said.
He echoed that message on Truth Social: “The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight.”
A senior U.S. official added that there would be no direct retaliation unless Iran struck Americans.
“Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after their political leadership,” the source said.
The Conflict Escalates on the Ground
As Washington argues, the war on the ground is intensifying fast.
Over the weekend, Israel and Iran exchanged heavy fire.
Israel’s surprise attacks devastated parts of Iran’s military and infrastructure, while Iran retaliated with missile strikes that caused destruction and deaths inside Israel.
At least 13 people have been confirmed dead in Israel, including children, after residential buildings were hit.
Rescue teams used dogs and machinery to comb through the rubble, and air raid sirens blared through cities like Tel Aviv on Sunday afternoon.
In Tehran, massive fires lit up the night sky as Israel struck oil and gas facilities, threatening both the Iranian economy and regional stability.
Iran says more than 78 people were killed in Friday’s attack, with a further 60 dead—including many children—after a building was flattened on Saturday.
What Comes Next?
The pressure is mounting from all sides. GOP hawks want Trump to act more decisively, Israel is pushing forward with plans, and MAGA influencers like Carlson are warning of a political price.
As of now, Trump is trying to walk a tightrope: showing strength without starting a new war.
Whether he can keep that balance—and his base—remains to be seen.