Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative commentator and associate of President Trump, said that Israel did not defend itself during the current war and exploited the conflict to start another war in Lebanon. Carlson also claimed the U.S. wasted billions protecting Israel and that even Trump has criticized Netanyahu. Fellow conservative Piers Morgan added that Netanyahu, influenced by Ben Gvir and Smotrich, created the damage. The remarks, posted on social media late Friday, represent sharp right-wing American criticism of Israel's conduct.
Late Friday evening, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson — a well-known associate of President Donald Trump — posted a sharp critique of Israel's conduct in the current multi-front war. Carlson asserted that Israel 'did not defend itself' in the conflict and instead 'used the war to start another war (Lebanon).' He further claimed the United States wasted billions of dollars protecting Israel and that even Trump, Netanyahu's closest partner, has criticized the Israeli prime minister. Piers Morgan, another prominent conservative journalist, added that the damage was created by Netanyahu, who he said is being fed by Ben Gvir and Smotrich.
Both Carlson and Morgan are figures with significant reach among American conservative audiences, and their criticism carries weight within the pro-Israel camp on the American right. The post adds to a growing chorus of right-of-center American voices — including Mark Levin, who earlier this month called out Trump for calling Netanyahu a 'problematic person' — questioning Israel's strategy and its management of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Carlson's remarks did not reference any specific operational failures but represented a broader political assessment by a Trump confidant with influence over the president's base. The statements have not been officially addressed by the Israeli government or the White House.
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- DevelopingCommentator: Israel's strike saved Trump's policy from a deal at Israel's expense
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