Washington, D.C. – Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, once a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, has broken his silence over the president’s decision to launch an attack on Iran, admitting that he believes Trump was compelled to go to war “against his will.
In a detailed interview with The New York Times, Carlson shared his insights into Trump’s mindset during the decision-making process, revealing that the president knew the move could be the end of his presidency but felt he had no choice.
Trump Knew the Consequences, Says Carlson
Carlson, who has since distanced himself from Trump over this issue, claimed that Trump felt trapped in the situation. “My strong read was that he was doing this against his will,” Carlson told The New York Times’ Lulu Garcia-Navarro. “This was not a normal decision-making process, and my strong impression was that Trump was more a hostage than a sovereign decision maker in this.”
Carlson added that during numerous private conversations with Trump, the president directly acknowledged the potential consequences of the war with Iran, including the likely end of his presidency.
“He knew – and I know he knew because I talked to him about it directly – that the potential consequences were profoundly bad; the end of his presidency to start, which I think has proven to be,” Carlson explained. “He felt he had no choice, and he said to me ‘everything’s gonna be okay.’”
Outside Pressure and Influence
Carlson suggested that Trump’s decision to launch the conflict was heavily influenced by outside allies, particularly the Israeli government and its American supporters. He cited Joe Kent, former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, who resigned in protest over the war and claimed that Trump was manipulated by Israel into taking military action.
Bloomberg’s reporting corroborates Carlson’s claims, noting that “outside allies” exerted significant pressure on Trump to take military action, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Carlson has previously suggested that Israel’s long-standing push for U.S. action against Iran may have been a major factor in Trump’s decision.
Carlson’s Apology for Supporting Trump
In addition to his commentary on Trump’s decision-making, Carlson issued an apology for his past support of the president, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 election. He admitted that, in hindsight, he regretted his role in stumping for Trump and questioned the wisdom of his support.
Claims of “Blackmail” and Allegations of Manipulation
Carlson has previously hinted that Trump may have been a victim of a “blackmail” operation, citing political writer Daniel Halper’s claims regarding Israel’s influence on former President Bill Clinton.
Carlson’s suggestion that Israel had a hand in manipulating U.S. policy toward Iran aligns with his broader view that Trump was under significant pressure from international allies to make decisions that may not have aligned with his personal preferences or interests.
A Tumultuous Path Forward
As Trump faces record-low approval ratings amid his controversial war with Iran, Carlson’s revelations provide a glimpse into the complex dynamics that led to the decision to escalate tensions in the Middle East. The former president’s allies, once steadfast in their support, now seem to be reevaluating their positions, with Carlson’s comments marking a dramatic shift in his relationship with Trump.
The war with Iran, which has already had significant political and military consequences, continues to loom over Trump’s presidency, with many questioning whether the decision to engage in conflict was driven by personal will or external pressures from powerful global players.
