Donald Trump fires back at Tucker Carlson over 'America First' criticism: 'I'm the one that decides'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump appeared to push back against MAGA media figure and longtime ally Tucker Carlson's suggestion that he is straying from "America First" ideals by supporting Israel’s strikes on Iran.
During an interview with The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer on Saturday, June 14, the commander-in-chief asserted that he was the originator of the "America First" doctrine, so he is "the one that decides" what it means.
The remarks follow Israel’s recent military strikes on Iranian targets, which prompted retaliatory attacks from Tehran on Israeli cities.
Donald Trump defends Israel support, says he alone defines ‘America First’ ideals
During the interview, Donald Trump pushed back on criticism that his stance contradicts the non-interventionist "America First" doctrine.
"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 told Scherer.
"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," the 79-year-old insisted.
Trump later said, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, very simple. Regardless — Israel or not Israel — Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb.”
The MAGA leader's comments were in response to a question about critics like Carlson, who have strongly opposed US backing of Israel’s strikes on Iran, calling it a betrayal of the "America First" philosophy.
Throughout the interview, the president defended his record of working to resolve global conflicts, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East. He also maintained a generally upbeat view of international affairs, saying of his administration’s approach, “I think we have done very well.”
Tucker Carlson criticizes Donald Trump over US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict
Earlier this week, Israel initiated a series of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, prompting Tehran to retaliate with missile attacks on Israeli cities. While the US military did not take part in the offensive against Iran, it did help intercept incoming Iranian missiles and provided Israel with intelligence and weapons support.
In a newsletter, the former Fox News host criticized Trump, writing, “While the American military may not have physically perpetrated the assault, years of funding and sending weapons to Israel, which Donald Trump just bragged about on Truth Social, undeniably place the US at the center of last night’s event.”
The conservative political commentator added, “Politicians purporting to be America First can’t now credibly turn around and say they had nothing to do with it.”
Later, Carlson doubled down on his criticism, slamming his former colleagues Sean Hannity and Mark Levin, and even Rupert Murdoch, labeling them as “warmongers” in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
He wrote, "The real divide isn’t between people who support Israel and people who support Iran or the Palestinians. The real divide is between those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers."
"Who are the warmongers? They would include anyone who’s calling Donald Trump today to demand air strikes and other direct US military involvement in a war with Iran. On that list: Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Rupert Murdoch, Ike Perlmutter and Miriam Adelson. At some point they will all have to answer for this, but you should know their names now," Carlson stressed.
The real divide isn’t between people who support Israel and people who support Iran or the Palestinians. The real divide is between those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers. Who are the warmongers? They would…
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 13, 2025
Donald Trump warned Benjamin Netanyahu before Israel struck Iran, claims report
Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to launch the attacks and to allow negotiations with Iran to play out before resorting to military action, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The commander-in-chief said, “We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out. They can still work out a deal however, it’s not too late,” as quoted in the report.
Despite this, Israel proceeded with a widespread strike hitting over 100 sites and killing top Iranian commanders, including General Hossein Salami and Major General Mohammad Bagheri.
