Podcast host Tucker Carlson reached out to President Trump by phone Wednesday following a heated public dispute over the administration’s stance on the Israel-Iran conflict that threatened to fracture the conservative movement.
The tension between the two figures became a prominent topic during Thursday’s White House press availability with reporters.
CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins questioned President Trump about the apparent division among his supporters regarding potential military action against Iran.
“Have you seen the Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz interview? It seems like this issue on whether or not the United States should strike is kind of dividing a lot of your supporters,” Collins asked during the press conference.
Trump immediately dismissed suggestions that his political base was experiencing any significant split on the Iran nuclear issue.
The president emphasized his confidence in his supporters’ loyalty while reaffirming his administration’s firm stance against Iranian nuclear capabilities.
“No, my supporters are for me. My supporters are America first. They make America great again. My supporters don’t want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon,” the president responded firmly.
Despite the recent public disagreement that dominated conservative media coverage, Trump expressed surprisingly positive sentiments about Carlson during the press conference.
“Tucker’s a nice guy. He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong. And I appreciated that,” Trump revealed to the assembled reporters.
The president also addressed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who had participated in a contentious interview with Carlson that sparked additional controversy within conservative circles.
“And Ted Cruz is a nice guy. I mean, he’s been with me for a long time. I’d say once the race was over, he’s been with me ever since,” Trump noted, referring to their past primary competition.
Trump clarified his position on potential military action regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“Very simple. If they think that it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, then they should oppose me, but nobody thinks it’s okay,” he explained.
The president emphasized his preference for avoiding conflict while maintaining firm red lines.
“People that don’t want to — I don’t want to fight either. I’m not looking to fight. But if it’s a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do,” Trump stated.
During the same press conference, Trump disclosed that Iran has been seeking diplomatic engagement to reduce tensions.
The president referenced previous negotiations that failed to reach a conclusion during his administration.
“Look, they should have made the deal. I had a great deal for them. They should have made that deal. 60 days we talked about it and in the end they decided not to do it and now they wish they did it,” Trump told reporters, according to Trending Politics.
Trump revealed Iran’s current interest in high-level diplomatic meetings.
“And they want to meet but it’s, you know, it’s a little late to meet but they want to meet and they want to come to the White House. They’ll even come to the White House. So we’ll see,” the president concluded.
WATCH:
The controversy erupted when Carlson voiced strong opposition to potential U.S. military involvement in the escalating Middle Eastern tensions during recent podcast appearances that garnered significant attention across conservative media circles.
Carlson appeared on two separate episodes with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon to discuss his growing concerns about American engagement in what he characterized as another potential foreign military entanglement.
The former Fox News personality argued that supporters of U.S. intervention have consistently failed to articulate clear strategic goals for American involvement in the complex regional conflict.
During his conversations with Bannon, Carlson drew stark parallels between current discussions about military action and the lead-up to the Iraq War.
Carlson raised concerns about repeating past foreign policy mistakes.
The podcast host expressed particular frustration with what he viewed as pressure from pro-Israel advocates for American military commitment without adequate justification for U.S. national interests.
“We love Israel, we wanna help, but we’re not gonna imperial American national security, the American economy, America itself on your behalf. That’s immoral for us. Our population doesn’t want it,” Carlson stated during the podcast.
President Trump responded strongly to Carlson’s remarks through social media on Tuesday, marking a rare public confrontation between two influential conservative figures.
The president posted his reaction directly addressing Carlson’s criticism of administration Iran policies, using characteristically blunt language to challenge the podcast host’s position.
“Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that ‘IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,’” Trump wrote in his social media statement.
The president’s use of the term “kooky” to describe Carlson surprised many observers, given their previously cordial relationship and Carlson’s general support for Trump’s policies.
The post Trump Says Tucker Carlson Called Him to Apologize as Iran Policy Clash Divides MAGA Base appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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