Tucker Carlson questions Trump’s foreign policy impact on American power

WASHINGTON, DC: Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson argued that President Donald Trump has “diminished American power in unimaginable ways” through some recent foreign policy decisions, adding to an ongoing debate inside conservative circles over America’s role overseas and the future of the Republican Party’s foreign policy agenda.

Carlson made the remarks during a discussion centered on rising geopolitical tensions and concerns about expanding US involvement abroad.

Tucker Carlson raises concerns about foreign policy strategy

During the conversation, Carlson argued that certain recent developments had weakened America’s global standing despite Trump’s broader efforts to project strength internationally.

The ex-Trump ally has been increasingly critical of the president, but his most recent remarks are one of the most striking condemnations of what Carlson sees as something as a betrayal by the president.

On Wednesday’s edition of ‘The Tucker Carlson Show’, the former Fox News host wondered if Trump is a one-man “sleeper cell” for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom the president launched the Iran war in February.

Carlson pointed to remarks Trump made on Tuesday, where the president said, “I’m at 99% [approval] in Israel. I could run for prime minister. So, maybe after I do this, I’ll go to Israel and run for prime minister. I had a poll this morning. I’m 99%, so that’s good.”

“The president of the United States is bragging about his popularity in a foreign country. “I’m 99% in Israel.” Unmentioned is the fact that he’s 35% in the United States.”

Carlson has repeatedly warned that prolonged overseas conflicts could weaken the United States economically and politically while distracting from domestic concerns facing working- and middle-class Americans.

“Thirty-five percent support from Americans, the people he pledged to represent, to fight for, whose side he promised to take in every conflict, foreign and domestic.”

“And yet, there he is, bragging about how popular he is in a foreign country.”

Tucker Carlson calls Trump ‘unpopular’ at home

The former Fox News host has increasingly positioned himself as one of the leading voices within the conservative movement, arguing against deeper foreign military involvement, particularly in conflicts involving Iran, Ukraine, and broader Middle East tensions.

“Now, you could say, “That’s just Trump searching for affirmation where he can. Unpopular at home, he retreats into the fantasy of his popularity in another country.” Well, yes, true. But it’s not a one-time exhibition of this.”

“That president has spent the last year looking outward toward the approval of other nations.”

“The last year has not made America great again. The last year has diminished American power at a rate some of us thought was unimaginable.”

Many Trump supporters continue backing the president’s 'America First' approach while also expressing caution about military escalation and long-term international commitments.

“We couldn’t have foreseen, less than a year and a half ago… the damage that this administration – led by that president, for whom we campaigned and liked personally – could do to this country.”

At the same time, Carlson has remained broadly supportive of many aspects of Trump’s populist political movement, especially on immigration, trade, border security, and opposition to establishment institutions in Washington.