American journalist and commentator Tucker Carlson has intensified his criticism of U.S. support for Israel, calling it a "strategic liability" and asserting that the Israeli government and its allies in the United States are orchestrating a campaign to promote fears of "radical Islam" as a distraction from its own actions.
In a recent interview with Harrison Berger of The American Conservative, Carlson dismissed the idea that radical Islam poses a significant threat to Americans, claiming he knows no one in the U.S. killed by radical Islam in the past 24 years, and instead highlighted domestic issues like drug overdoses, unemployment, and the influence of OnlyFans pornography and video games as greater dangers.
Carlson condemned the concept of collective punishment, arguing that it contradicts Western values and is a hallmark of non-Western thinking, while accusing pro-Israel figures of promoting a "brain virus" of loyalty that overrides American interests.
The popular conservative commentator said that the sentiment that "radical Islam" is the greatest threat to America, as reflected in a Turning Point USA poll, originates from the Israeli government and its "many defenders and informal employees" in the U.S., framing it as a deliberate operation to manipulate American discourse.
Carlson argued that the U.S. is being drawn into an "ancient ethnic conflict" involving Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and Hindus, which he believes distorts American society and foreign policy, and declared that "everyone involved can go home immediately."
He emphasized his personal observations, stating he has never taken money from a Muslim and has traveled extensively, asserting that the idea that all Muslims are terrorists is ignorant and disconnected from reality.
Carlson criticized the notion of defending "Western civilization" as a justification for supporting Israel, arguing that the core Western principle is the individual human soul and the rejection of collective punishment, which he believes is violated in actions like those in Gaza.
The popular commentator argued that Israel does not matter strategically, calling it small and lacking important resources, and labeled it a liability rather than an ally, a stance that contradicts mainstream neoconservative Republican foreign policy.
Carlson's remarks have sparked a significant reactions within the conservative movement, with figures like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene expressing support, while others, including neoconservative senator Ted Cruz and U.S Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, have strongly criticized him, with Cruz accusing him of becoming "Nick Fuentes."
"No matter how hard the GOP tries to make 'radical Islam' happen, the base doesn’t care about it," popular conservative commentator Candace Owens declared on X. "We are way more concerned about Israel. You can deny reality and scream about Tucker, but the party can no longer be governed by those who refuse to acknowledge the Zionist elephant in the room. I’m just trying to spare you guys the inevitable billion dollar “ISIS is coming” digital campaign, wherein a bunch of online influencers will suddenly pretend they are deeply concerned about the threat of radical Islam. Our concerns about the Middle East begin with the Israeli occupation of D.C. Hope this helps."
The interview, which also touched on identity politics and Islamophobia, was part of a broader shift in Carlson’s public stance since leaving Fox News, where he has increasingly expressed more anti-war and 'America First' views. He has in the past urged the U.S. to "drop Israel" and stop supporting its military actions.
Carlson's supporters see his critique as a necessary challenge to what they view as a corrupt alliance between U.S. conservatives and Israel, particularly Christian Zionists.
The debate reflects a broader ideological rift within the Republican Party over foreign policy, with Carlson’s position representing a growing faction that prioritizes American sovereignty over unconditional support for Israel.
