Atomic811 (@atomic811)

On June 16, 2025, Tucker Carlson appeared on Steve Bannon’s WarRoom podcast, issuing a stark warning about the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and its potential to derail President Donald Trump’s second term and undermine America’s global influence. Carlson, a former Fox News host and prominent conservative commentator, expressed concern that U.S. involvement in a full-scale Middle East war could spell disaster for both Trump’s presidency and the nation’s standing as a global power. Carlson argued that a war with Iran would not only weaken the United States but could mark the “end of the American empire.” He highlighted the U.S. military’s lack of preparedness for a major conflict, stating, “How prepared is the U.S. military for a real conflict? The answer is totally unprepared. Scary unprepared.” He drew parallels to past U.S. interventions, like the Iraq War under George W. Bush, which he said consumed Bush’s administration and derailed domestic priorities. Carlson emphasized that a similar entanglement in Iran could fracture Trump’s political coalition, which was built on promises of avoiding “forever wars,” securing the border, and revitalizing American trade. Despite his personal admiration for Trump, whom he described as “a deeply humane, kind person,” Carlson urged the president to prioritize America’s interests and de-escalate the conflict. He suggested Trump could be “the only person who can bring peace” but warned that time was running out to prevent a broader war that could spiral into a global conflict. Carlson’s remarks reflect a growing divide within the MAGA movement, with isolationist voices like his and Bannon’s clashing with pro-Israel hawks advocating for U.S. support of Israel’s military actions. Carlson also targeted conservative media figures, specifically Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Mark Levin, as well as founder Rupert Murdoch, labeling them “warmongers” for supporting Israel’s strikes on Iran. In a newsletter and social media posts, he accused them of pushing for U.S. military involvement, which he argued would betray the “America First” principles Trump campaigned on. Carlson wrote, “The real divide is between those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers.” He claimed Fox News was “cranking up the propaganda hose” to sway its audience toward war. These comments follow Carlson’s earlier criticisms of Trump for being “complicit” in Israel’s attacks, citing U.S. funding and weapons support as evidence of Washington’s role in the conflict. He argued that politicians claiming to be “America First” cannot deny responsibility for enabling Israel’s actions, a stance that has drawn backlash from pro-Israel figures like Levin, who called Carlson’s views misguided. President Trump pushed back against Carlson’s critiques, asserting his authority over the “America First” doctrine. In an interview with The Atlantic on June 14, 2025, Trump said, “I’m the one that developed ‘America First,’ and considering that the term wasn’t used until I came along, I think I’m the one that decides that.” He dismissed Carlson’s warnings as naive and took a swipe at his former ally’s career, saying, “Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen.” Trump also emphasized that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon was a priority, stating, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, very simple.” The conflict has exposed deep rifts within the MAGA movement. While Carlson and Bannon advocate for non-intervention, figures like Hannity, Levin, and Senator Lindsey Graham have cheered Israel’s strikes and urged stronger U.S. support. Bannon warned that U.S. involvement could “permanently fracture” Trump’s coalition and even spell “the end” for Israel itself by overextending its resources. Social media posts on X reflect similar sentiments, with some users urging Trump to heed Carlson and Bannon’s warnings to avoid a costly war. The tensions stem from Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” launched on June 12, 2025, targeting Iran’s military leadership and nuclear facilities. The strikes killed over 220 Iranians, including top commanders, and damaged key sites, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile attacks on Israel, resulting in 24 Israeli deaths and over 500 injuries. While the U.S. military did not directly participate, it provided intelligence and assisted in intercepting Iranian missiles, fueling debates about America’s role. Trump has expressed support for Israel’s actions, calling them “excellent,” but also claimed the U.S. was not involved, a stance contradicted by reports of U.S. aid. #IsraelIranConflict #AmericaFirst #TrumpPresidency #MagaDivide #NoMoreWars https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/tucker-carlson-tells-bannon-israel-iran-conflict-could-end-trumps-presidency-and-american-empire/