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FNF News | National Security & Politics
Published: June 17, 2025
By: Khadija Khan, Senior Political Correspondent
Carlson vs. Trump: The Iran Hypocrisy That’s Fracturing the Right
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As former President Donald Trump recalibrates U.S. foreign policy to confront Iran’s growing regional aggression, media firebrand Tucker Carlson is sounding alarms — not against Tehran’s threats, but against Trump himself. His fiery monologue this week, accusing Trump of betraying America First by backing Israel and confronting Iran, has ignited a fierce backlash across the conservative movement.
But critics say Carlson’s outrage is not only misplaced — it’s deeply hypocritical.
“Tucker Carlson is right about one thing: empires collapse when they forget their people,” said Col. Thomas Renner (Ret.), a former Pentagon strategist. “But turning our back on allies while Iran arms itself and launches proxy attacks? That’s not America First. That’s surrender.”
The Real Threat: Tehran, Not Tel Aviv
Carlson’s monologue, titled “The End of the Empire”, aired to millions of viewers and painted a grim picture of U.S. military involvement abroad. He warned that Trump’s support for Israel could drag America into another unwinnable war — echoing familiar anti-interventionist arguments.
But the reality on the ground is starkly different.
- Iran has resumed uranium enrichment at near-weapons-grade levels, according to a recent IAEA report.
- Houthi drone attacks on U.S. ships in the Red Sea have increased.
- Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq have resumed rocket strikes on U.S. and allied forces.
In this context, Trump’s strategic partnership with Israel is viewed by many experts as a deterrent — not a provocation.
“If Tucker’s worried about war, he should look at Iran’s proxies and ballistic missile stockpiles, not the White House,” said Danielle Pletka, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
Trump’s Policy: Deterrence, Not Invasion
Trump isn’t sending troops to storm Tehran. In fact, no new combat deployments have occurred. What’s actually happening is a realignment: bolstering regional allies, reinforcing deterrence, and ensuring America doesn’t get caught off guard — as it did under Obama’s failed Iran Deal.
“Peace through strength isn’t just a slogan. It’s a policy,” Trump said during a Florida rally this weekend. “I’m not starting wars. I’m preventing them — by reminding our enemies we don’t back down.”
Carlson’s portrayal of Israel as a drain on American power ignores the facts: Israel shares U.S. intelligence, develops defense tech with American companies, and fights many of the same enemies.
Carlson’s New Lane: Isolation or Irrelevance?
Tucker Carlson has long positioned himself as a voice of skepticism within the conservative movement. His critique of forever wars earned him praise during the Bush-Cheney era. But now, some argue he’s gone too far — embracing isolationism even when U.S. security is clearly at stake.
“It’s one thing to oppose stupid wars,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). “It’s another to act like Iran’s not a problem or that Israel should just fend for itself. That’s not leadership. That’s cowardice disguised as principle.”
Carlson’s recent interviews with foreign dictators and anti-American voices — including Putin and Viktor Orbán — have also raised eyebrows.
“Tucker sounds more like RT than a U.S. patriot lately,” one GOP strategist told FNF on condition of anonymity.
The Base Still Rallies Behind Trump
Despite the noise, Trump’s base remains largely united behind his foreign policy approach. A June YouGov poll shows 68% of Republican voters support continued security cooperation with Israel, while only 21% side with Carlson’s isolationist line.
Veterans groups, evangelical coalitions, and national security hawks — usually not in the same room — have found common cause defending Trump’s position.
“We’re not nation-building. We’re shield-building,” said Lt. Gen. Harold Bennett (Ret.), referring to Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense expansion. “If that scares Iran and comforts Israel, good.”
Conclusion: The Difference Between Attention and Action
Carlson is a media giant. But at the end of the day, he sells outrage — not policy. Trump, on the other hand, governs. And in a dangerous world filled with rogue regimes and nuclear ambitions, governing means making hard choices.
“Trump is protecting America’s interests. Tucker is protecting his click rate,” said GOP strategist Katrina Pierson. “One is real leadership. The other is just a livestream.”
Sources:
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), June 2025 Report
- Trump Speech, Jacksonville Rally, June 15, 2025
- YouGov Poll on GOP Foreign Policy Preferences, June 2025
- AEI Briefing: Iran Proxy Activity 2025
- Fox News Archive: Carlson’s Empire Segment
- Congressional Record: Rep. Elise Stefanik, House Floor Remarks, June 13
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