President Donald Trump defended his leadership of the America First movement after Tucker Carlson accused him of abandoning core principles to support Israel’s military campaign against Iran.
The president rejected suggestions that supporting Israel contradicts his America First agenda during recent comments to The Atlantic.
“Well, considering that 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,” Trump stated.
Carlson has criticized conservatives for pushing Americans to follow Israel in preemptive strikes against Iran.
The former Fox News host described this approach as leading toward an “all out war” with the Middle eastern nation.
Carlson labeled Trump as “complicit in an act of war” in a Friday newsletter while simultaneously attacking conservatives close to the president as “warmongers” in social media posts.
Trump told reporters he was unfamiliar with Carlson’s specific comments but dismissed the framing of “warmongers and peacemakers” as simplistic.
The president emphasized that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a priority regardless of other considerations.
“For those people who say they want peace – you can’t have peace if Iran has a nuclear weapon. So for all of those wonderful people who don’t want to do anything about Iran having a nuclear weapon – that’s not peace,” Trump explained.
The president reinforced his position on Iran’s nuclear capabilities during the interview.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, very simple. Regardless – Israel or not Israel – Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb,” he added.
Two US officials revealed Sunday that Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader ayatollah ali Khamenei, the Daily Mail reported.
Republican Iran hawks are now pressuring the president to join Israel’s bombing campaign against Iranian targets.
This pressure creates potential friction between Trump and key MAGA movement figures who oppose expanded military involvement.
The situation places Trump in a difficult position given his campaign promises to avoid foreign wars while maintaining “peace through strength.”
His supporters expect him to honor commitments made during the election cycle about keeping America out of overseas conflicts.
Carlson publicly warned the Trump administration after learning that Mark Levin had visited the White House.
The media personality expressed concerns about potential lobbying efforts for military action against Iran.
“Mark Levin was at the White House today, lobbying for war with Iran,’ Carlson wrote on social media.
“To be clear, Levin has no plans to fight in this or any other war. He’s demanding that American troops do it.”
Carlson characterized Levin’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program as distracting from the risks of deploying American forces to the Middle east.
He warned that military action would represent a betrayal of Trump’s supporters and could end his presidency.
Levin responded to reports about his White House visit during his radio show Tuesday evening.
He confirmed meeting with President Trump after receiving an invitation but disputed characterizations of his visit as lobbying for military action.
“He and I are very close friends,” Levin said, adding that “the president knows exactly where I stand on Iran and he told me he knows exactly where I stand on Iran because he watches my shows on Fox.”
He described the reports as propaganda from unnamed sources.
Trump addressed the escalating conflict during an ABC News interview Sunday morning.
He denied current American involvement while leaving open the possibility of future participation in military operations against Iran.
“We’re not involved in it. It’s possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved,” the president stated.
He reinforced this position on Truth Social, writing “The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight.”
Reuters confirmed that Trump blocked the Israeli assassination plan targeting Khamenei.
a senior administration official explained the decision by noting that Iran has not killed Americans, which would trigger consideration of targeting political leadership.
“Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,” the official told Reuters.
Israel launched “operation Rising Lion” with Friday morning strikes that eliminated Iran’s top military commanders and damaged nuclear facilities.
Israeli officials indicated the campaign will continue escalating in coming days.
Iran responded with threats to “open the gates of hell” in retaliation for the Israeli attacks.
The exchange has raised fears of a broader regional conflict involving multiple nations and potentially global implications.
Fresh attacks occurred overnight into Sunday between the two nations, resulting in numerous casualties and heightening conflict concerns.
Israeli rescue teams searched through rubble of residential buildings destroyed by Iranian missiles.
at least 10 people died in the latest Israeli casualties, including children, bringing the two-day death toll to 13.
Rescue workers used sniffer dogs and heavy excavators to search for survivors in the destroyed buildings.
Mark Levin was at the White House today, lobbying for war with Iran. To be clear, Levin has no plans to fight in this or any other war. He’s demanding that American troops do it. We need to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons, he and likeminded ideologues in Washington are…
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 5, 2025
Chatsworth Qatarlson is very angry. Busy leaking to and planting stories with his media pals. Burning up his cellphone with calls to his embeds in government and his Koch-heads at the Quincy institute. A desperate man does desperate things. God bless Team America!…
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) June 11, 2025
