Trump Rebukes Former Fox News Allies Over Criticism of Iran Military Campaign
Former President Donald Trump displayed little magnanimity toward former Fox News personalities Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson on Monday, directly addressing their sharp critiques of his administration's ongoing military engagement in Iran. Both figures, who maintain significant influence within conservative media circles, have voiced strong opposition to the conflict, which has resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous civilian casualties, alongside rising American losses.
Escalating Conflict and Congressional Concerns
The United States finds itself increasingly entangled in a foreign war that critics argue lacks proper congressional authorization. This escalating situation has sparked fears of a prolonged overseas entanglement without clear legislative approval, adding a layer of constitutional concern to the geopolitical turmoil.
Vocal Criticism from Media Figures
Tucker Carlson, in a particularly scathing assessment, labeled the military operations as "absolutely disgusting and evil." Meanwhile, Megyn Kelly expressed profound skepticism regarding Trump's justifications for the war, emphatically stating, "No one should have to die for a foreign country." Their comments represent a notable fracture within the pro-Trump media landscape.
Trump's Definitive Response
When questioned by Rachael Bade of The Inner Circle on Substack about these detractors from within the MAGA movement, Trump offered a pointed rebuttal. "I think that MAGA is Trump — MAGA’s not the other two," he declared, referring to Kelly and Carlson. He elaborated, "MAGA wants to see our country thrive and be safe. And MAGA loves what I’m doing — every aspect of it… This is a detour that we have to take in order to keep our country safe and keep other countries safe, frankly."
Addressing Individual Critics
The former president specifically addressed Kelly's history of opposition, noting, "Megan was opposed to me for years when I ran the first time, and nothing stopped me. And so, you know, some people are against — and they always come back. She came all the way back. But now I guess she maybe doesn’t like the idea of this war, but I do because I have to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of the Iranians." Regarding Carlson, Trump dismissed his impact, stating the former prime-time host "can say whatever he wants; it has no impact on me."
Contradictory Justifications and Media Imagery
In his efforts to justify the military mission, Trump has reignited fears concerning Iran's nuclear capabilities, despite previously claiming to have destroyed them in targeted strikes months earlier. This shift in messaging has created confusion and drawn criticism for presenting muddled rationales. The public discourse is further illustrated by contrasting media images: one showing Carlson interviewing Trump shortly before the 2024 election, juxtaposed with his harsh "evil" characterization of the operation, and another depicting a 2016 interview where Kelly appeared alongside a smiling Trump, a stark contrast to her current critical stance.
This episode underscores the deepening divisions within conservative media and the Trump political base over foreign policy, highlighting the former president's unwavering defense of his actions amid growing domestic dissent.
