Tucker Carlson has launched a provocative new line of merchandise, directly responding to a fiery social media tirade from former President Donald Trump. The move marks a significant escalation in the deteriorating relationship between Trump and his former media allies, centred on disagreements over foreign policy towards Iran.
Merchandise Mocks Presidential Insults
The Tucker Carlson Network began advertising baseball caps emblazoned with the phrase "LOW IQ" on Friday, April 10, 2026. This directly co-opts an insult used by Trump in a lengthy Truth Social post the previous afternoon. The advertisement for the apparel was captioned: "Calling all nut jobs, troublemakers, and third rate podcasters! New merch just dropped."
Trump's Truth Social Rant Targets Former Allies
The merchandise launch follows a roughly 500-word rant from Trump on Thursday, in which he targeted Carlson alongside other prominent right-wing figures including Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones. Trump labelled the group "losers," "stupid people," and "nut jobs," specifically attacking their opposition to his administration's recent military operations against Iran.
"I know why Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones have all been fighting me for years," Trump wrote. He claimed the group possessed "Low IQs" and suggested Carlson should "see a good psychiatrist."
A Volatile Relationship Behind the Scenes
This public hostility marks a dramatic departure from the 2024 campaign trail, during which Carlson was a frequent and fervent supporter of Trump. At the Republican National Convention, Carlson famously declared that Trump had transcended his role as a nominee to become "the leader of a nation."
However, the relationship has long been volatile behind the scenes. During the Dominion Voting Systems defamation trial, internal messages revealed Carlson, then a Fox News anchor, had described Trump as a "destroyer" and "evil," stating at one point, "I hate him passionately."
Foreign Policy Drives the Latest Split
The latest split appears primarily driven by Trump's foreign policy, particularly his threats of escalated conflict in the Middle East. Carlson has recently intensified his rhetoric, using his Friday morning newsletter to suggest the president may be influenced by outside interests. He has previously offered critiques that some observers interpreted as questioning Trump's moral character.
Other Targeted Figures Hit Back
Other figures targeted in the president's post have also issued sharp retorts. Candace Owens, who has expressed embarrassment over her previous support for Trump, suggested on X that it "may be time to put Grandpa up in a home."
Alex Jones, whose InfoWars platform was an early vehicle for Trump's political rise, released a video claiming the president has been "totally changed" by "demonic influences."
A Widening Rift in the MAGA Movement
The public clash shows a widening and significant rift within the MAGA movement, with Trump lashing out at the very media figures who were key to his return to the White House in the 2024 election. Despite the fallout, Trump insisted he hasn't lost his base, pointing to a claim of a 100 percent approval rating from people identifying as MAGA supporters on CNN.
The Tucker Carlson Network has already moved to monetize this high-profile feud, launching a line of baseball caps that feature the 'Low IQ' label used by the president. This merchandising strategy underscores how personal and political conflicts are increasingly being commercialised in today's media landscape.
