Tucker Carlson has risen as a prominent conservative critic of Donald Trump’s approach toward Iran, gaining traction with millions of viewers alongside other right-wing figures like Megyn Kelly and Candace Owens. Despite his significant online presence, only 21% of participants in a JL Partners/Daily Mail survey view Carlson as a future leader of the Republican Party. In contrast, 39% believe he represents a perilous direction for the party, while 40% remain undecided. Additionally, only 24% of respondents hold a favorable opinion of him, with 40% expressing an unfavorable view.

Among those surveyed, 21% had no opinion on the podcaster, and 14% were unfamiliar with him. Among Republicans specifically, 41% viewed Carlson favorably, whereas 28% had a negative impression. Again, 21% were neutral, and 9% had never heard of him. Currently, “The Tucker Carlson Show” ranks third on Spotify’s podcast charts and sixth in the News Podcasts category on Apple Podcasts. Carlson recently faced accusations of anti-Semitism following a heated interview where he made contentious remarks about Israel during a conversation with Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. These comments included unfounded speculations about Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to Israel. After the episode aired, Carlson issued an apology in a video on X, retracting his implication that Israel’s president had visited Epstein’s notorious island.

Carlson explained he received a ‘long letter’ from Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office, categorically denying any association with Epstein. “I’ve received many letters like this over the years, but rarely are they so unequivocal,” Carlson noted. “We are taking it seriously because there’s nothing worse than tarnishing the reputation of an innocent person,” he continued. “I apologize for suggesting knowledge I didn’t possess.” The letter from the Israeli president’s office followed Carlson’s discussion with Huckabee, where he referenced an email from Epstein’s files mentioning a ‘Herzog’ visiting Epstein’s infamous island, Little Saint James. Carlson remarked to Huckabee that the email claimed the current Israeli president was on the island, to which the ambassador to Israel quickly refuted the assertion.

Merchandise being sold on the homepage of Carlson’s website includes a t-shirt and mug with ‘AIPAC: an offer you can’t refuse’ written on it. AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is also illustrated with puppet strings and a hand above, implying that the group focused on the relationship between the US and Israel is controlling. Carlson has always denied anti-Semitism. The interview between Carlson and Huckabee came as tensions between the US and Iran were escalating, while suspicions were rising that America and Israel would strike the neighboring Middle Eastern country soon. The day before the US struck Iran, Carlson met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

After the strikes commenced, Carlson condemned the operation as ‘absolutely disgusting and evil’, insisting that ‘this is Israel’s war, not the United States’ war.’ Trump hit back, saying Carlson had ‘lost his way’ and was no longer aligned with MAGA principles. The podcaster also raised eyebrows after interviewing Joe Kent, a former counter-terrorism Trump staffer who resigned from the administration over the war in Iran. Kent said that he stepped down from his post after it became clear that ‘we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.’

Carlson also sparked backlash after hosting a controversial far-right commentator, Nick Fuentes on his show. Fuentes has stated his goal is ‘total Aryan victory,’ and he has called for a ‘holy war’ against Jewish people, among making other vile jokes, like likening Holocaust victims to cookies baking in an oven. Carlson’s softball interview with Fuentes last year kicked off dialogues in the GOP about how closely the party should align itself with the personality and his followers who deem themselves the ‘groypers.’ Just last month, the California GOP became the first state party to advise their leaders to ‘refrain from recruiting, supporting, or endorsing candidates’ who ‘espouse,’ ‘promote,’ or ‘campaign’ on Fuentes’s ideas.