President Donald Trump took aim at two prominent conservative media figures Monday night, distancing himself from Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly after they criticised his decision to launch strikes on Iran alongside Israel.
In an exclusive interview with reporter Rachael Bade, Trump responded directly to the backlash from some corners of his own political base. The criticism follows joint U.S. and Israeli military action over the weekend that has exposed visible divisions within the broader MAGA coalition.
“I think that MAGA is Trump — MAGA’s not the other two,” Trump said, referring to Kelly and Carlson. “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.”
The remarks mark a notable shift in tone toward Carlson and Kelly, both of whom have often been viewed as influential allies within conservative media circles. Their criticism centred on concerns about U.S. involvement in escalating conflict in the Middle East, a point of tension among some Republican lawmakers and commentators who favour a more restrained foreign policy.
The strikes took place early Saturday morning, when U.S. and Israeli forces targeted multiple sites in Iran. Israeli forces reportedly struck locations tied to Iran’s military and political leadership, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country since 1989. U.S. forces targeted several Iranian ballistic and nuclear missile facilities, according to reports.
The Trump administration has framed the operation as a necessary step to neutralise security threats posed by Iran. Officials have argued that the strikes were designed to protect both American interests and regional stability.
Still, reaction on Capitol Hill has been mixed. While some lawmakers praised the elimination of Khamenei, others from both parties questioned whether the military action was warranted and whether Congress should have had a more direct role in authorising the strikes.
Trump’s comments suggest he is drawing a firm line within his own political movement, signalling that disagreement over foreign policy does not define the direction of MAGA. Whether that stance will unify or further fracture his coalition remains to be seen as debate over the Iran operation continues.
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