Former President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Tucker Carlson, labelling the former Fox News host as "low IQ" following Carlson's explosive comments urging US military officials to defy Trump's potential nuclear orders. The public feud erupted after Carlson called on top military brass to block Trump from accessing the nuclear codes during a recent podcast episode.
Trump's Blistering Response
In an interview with the New York Post on Tuesday, Trump dismissed Carlson in remarkably personal terms. "Tucker's a low IQ person that has absolutely no idea what's going on," Trump stated. "He calls me all the time; I don't respond to his calls. I don't deal with him. I like dealing with smart people, not fools."
Carlson's Provocative Nuclear Comments
The controversy stems from Carlson's direct challenge to presidential authority regarding nuclear weapons. During his podcast, Carlson told listeners that military leaders should explicitly refuse Trump access to nuclear launch codes. "Now it's time to say no, absolutely not, and say it directly to the president, no," Carlson declared, adding that officials should tell Trump to "figure out the codes on the football yourself."
The term "football" refers to the leather briefcase carried by a military aide that contains the equipment necessary for the President to authorize a nuclear strike. Carlson's comments represent one of the most direct public challenges to presidential nuclear authority in recent memory.
Easter Social Media Sparks Further Conflict
The tension between the two prominent conservative figures intensified over Trump's Easter Sunday social media activity. Carlson expressed outrage at Trump's "praise be to Allah" post and subsequent expletive-laden message directed at Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
"How dare you speak that way on Easter morning to the country?" Carlson questioned during his broadcast. "Who do you think you are? You're tweeting out the F-word on Easter morning."
Religious Criticism Escalates
Carlson further speculated that Trump views himself as divine, suggesting the former president lacks respect for religious traditions including Christianity. "The message of all faith at the biggest picture level is the message in our Bible, which is you are not God," Carlson argued. "And only if you think you are, do you talk this way."
The commentator emphasized that "no president should mock Islam" and stressed that the United States is not a theocracy, warning against religious conflicts between nations.
Iran Conflict Context
The public breakdown in relations occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tensions with Iran. Trump showed no signs of moderating his position on Tuesday, threatening Iran with apocalyptic consequences ahead of a ceasefire deadline. "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," Trump warned his Truth Social followers. "I don't want that to happen, but it probably will."
Recent White House Meeting
Ironically, Carlson had visited the White House just days before the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28. His podcast ranks among the world's most listened-to programs, giving his criticisms significant reach within conservative circles.
Carlson has consistently criticized US military operations in the region, particularly arguing that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew Trump into conflict with Iran. This latest exchange represents Carlson's most personal attacks on Trump since the Iran conflict escalated, marking a dramatic deterioration in what was once a mutually beneficial relationship between two of America's most influential conservative voices.
