'Stupid people': Trump turns on his own MAGA allies Tucker, Megyn and Candace over Iran

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, April 17, sharply criticized several prominent conservative commentators, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, in a post. 

The remarks mark a further escalation in tensions between Trump and figures once aligned with his political movement.

The criticism comes amid disagreements over the administration’s handling of the Iran war. It also follows recent polling comparing Trump’s standing among Republican voters with that of Carlson.

Trump criticizes Tucker Carlson and other commentators 

In a post on Truth Social, Trump directly targeted Carlson, a former Fox News host who had previously been one of his most visible media allies.

“It’s easy! Tucker is a Low IQ person - Always easy to beat, and highly overrated!!!” Trump wrote.

He extended his criticism to other conservative figures as well, stating: “So are Megyn Kelly, ‘Candace’ (Really Dumb and mentally ill!), and Bankrupt Alex Jones, who is completely ‘fried’. There are others, also!”

Trump contrasted those figures with others he described more favorably, adding, “Then we have some that are VERY GOOD, true MAGA all the way, and smart. I should do a list of good, bad, and somewhere in the middle. Wouldn’t that be fascinating???”

The comments follow earlier posts in which Trump criticized Carlson and others over their opposition to US involvement in the Iran conflict.

In a separate message, he described critics as having “low IQ's” and added: “They’re stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!”

The public exchange marks a notable shift in Trump’s relationship with Carlson, who had previously voiced strong support for him.

During the 2024 Republican National Convention, Carlson suggested Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt was “divine intervention.” However, Carlson has more recently criticized Trump’s rhetoric and policies related to Iran. 

Iran war tensions add to political backdrop

Trump’s latest comments also referenced polling data highlighting his standing among Republican voters.

A survey conducted by the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Center of Public Opinion found that 31% of Republicans viewed Carlson favorably, compared to 24% unfavorably.

In the same poll, 77% of Republicans expressed a favorable view of Trump, while 3% of Democrats did so.

The president amplified the poll in his post, presenting it as evidence of his stronger influence within the Republican base. The message included a link to media coverage discussing the findings.

The broader dispute is unfolding against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Israel military operations against Iran, which began earlier this year.

Carlson has been among those criticizing the administration’s approach, particularly its rhetoric and framing of the conflict.

In a podcast appearance, Carlson criticized a Trump post that referenced religion, stating, “Who do you think you are? You’re tweeting out the f-word on Easter morning.” He added, “So, obviously, you’re mocking the religion of Iran.”