Trump slams "kooky" Tucker Carlson: "IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"

President Donald Trump sharply rebuked conservative commentator Tucker Carlson yesterday (Monday) for opposing U.S. military action against Iran’s nuclear program, highlighting a deepening rift within his political base. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Carlson “kooky” and insisted, “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” Carlson, on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, warned that a war with Iran could “end the American empire” and derail Trump’s presidency, citing U.S. military unpreparedness for a major Middle East conflict.

The disagreement stems from Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, including Natanz and Fordo, which killed senior IRGC commanders and prompted Iran’s retaliatory missile barrages. Trump has oscillated between diplomacy and threats, urging Iran to negotiate a deal to halt uranium enrichment or face severe consequences. On June 7, he reiterated that Iran’s enrichment must stop, hinting at military action if Tehran refuses. Axios reported on June 10 that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed Trump to maintain a strong military threat, warning that Iran employs delaying tactics in talks, though Trump expressed confidence in securing a deal.

Carlson’s stance reflects growing isolationist sentiment within the MAGA movement. On June 13, he criticized U.S. complicity in Israel’s strikes, urging Trump to “drop Israel” and avoid entanglement, arguing that a conflict could lead to “thousands of American deaths.” Earlier, on March 18, he cautioned against strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, emphasizing the high cost in American lives.

Trump’s rhetoric has intensified, with a June 13 statement warning that Iran’s refusal to negotiate could leave “nothing left” of its “empire.” On April 16, he claimed U.S. forces were ready to target Iran’s nuclear sites, alleging Tehran was close to a nuclear weapon, though U.S. intelligence, per Newsweek, assesses Iran is not currently building one. The New York Times reported Trump is weighing whether to join Israel in striking Fordo, which requires U.S. B-2 bombers and GBU-57 bunker busters, a move Carlson opposes as reckless.

Iran, meanwhile, insists on its right to enrich uranium, with Tasnim news agency reporting on June 9 that Tehran will reject any deal curbing its enrichment program. The IAEA has warned Iran’s 60% enriched uranium stockpile could yield multiple bombs if further enriched, fueling urgency in talks mediated by Oman.