Tucker Carlson Privately Condemns Trump's Iran Military Action
In a significant development, prominent conservative commentator and longtime Donald Trump ally Tucker Carlson has reportedly described the president's recent airstrikes on Iran as "disgusting and evil." According to a new report from ABC News, Carlson made these remarks privately to ABC White House correspondent Jonathan Karl, who had reached out to several prominent Trump supporters for their reactions to Saturday's military operations.
Private Remarks from a Public Figure
Jonathan Karl revealed that Carlson responded to his inquiry with strong condemnation. "I just heard back from Tucker Carlson," Karl stated. "Tucker Carlson, of course, spoke at the President's convention in 2024 and he's been a frequent visitor at the White House. In fact, he was at the White House just last week. He told me the president's decision is, quote, absolutely disgusting and evil."
The Independent has attempted to contact Carlson for confirmation of these remarks, as he has not yet spoken publicly about the strikes in Iran, which were carried out early Saturday alongside Israeli military forces. Carlson is widely seen as a close ally to the president, although he has criticized him on previous occasions.
Historical Context of Carlson's Foreign Policy Views
This criticism aligns with Carlson's longstanding skepticism toward U.S. foreign intervention in the Middle East. He has been particularly vocal in his criticism of the Israeli government, describing escalating conflicts with Iran as a "reckless" effort to serve the interests of Tel Aviv. Following a previous U.S. strike on Iran in June last year, Carlson wrote in his newsletter that Trump was "complicit" in such efforts by Israel and warned that getting further involved would be "suicidal."
Carlson's foreign policy positions have generated significant attention in the past. In summer 2025, he went viral for an interview with Texas Senator Ted Cruz in which he accused the senator of not knowing enough about Iran to comment on the political situation there. Cruz had called for the overthrow of the Iranian government but was unable to answer basic questions about the nation, such as its population.
Controversial Interviews and Backlash
Additionally, Carlson later received backlash for a separate interview with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with critics alleging that he provided a platform for regime propaganda without sufficient pushback. These incidents highlight Carlson's complex relationship with Middle Eastern politics and his willingness to engage with controversial figures.
Political Significance of the Criticism
Karl suggested that the strong reaction from Carlson, as a MAGA stalwart, was particularly significant. He described the action in Iran as "a momentous and potentially defining, or maybe redefining, move for President Trump." Many critics of Trump's actions have pointed to the apparent contradiction with his "America First" policy, which included pledges to end so-called "Forever Wars" such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The president had vowed not to involve the U.S. further in foreign conflicts, making Saturday's strikes seem at complete odds with his campaign promises and raising concerns about the potential for a major conflict going forward.
Previous Criticism of Trump
This is not the first time Carlson has been critical of Trump. In the past, he once referred to the president as "a demonic force, a destroyer." In a text message that emerged as part of the high-profile defamation lawsuit between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems, Carlson told a Fox News producer on November 13, 2020: "I've been thinking about this every day for four years. He's only good at destroying."
These private remarks, combined with his latest condemnation of the Iran strikes, illustrate the nuanced and sometimes contentious relationship between one of Trump's most influential media allies and the president himself, particularly on matters of foreign policy and military intervention.
