The White House is quietly working behind the scenes to address a growing division within President Donald Trump’s MAGA political movement, individuals knowledgeable about the situation informed the Daily Mail.
Following the initial Israeli military attacks on Iran last Thursday, key supporters expressed outrage, believing that Trump would avoid going into further conflicts in the Middle East.
The president’s supporters are watching closely as he considers whether the United States will get more involved in Israel’s offensive strikes.
The Wall Street Journal revealed late Wednesday that Trump informed senior aides he ‘approved attack strategies for Iran but delayed issuing the final command, waiting to see if Tehran would halt its nuclear activities.’
But Trump dismissed the Journal’s report, writing on social media that, ‘The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!’
Israel wants the Americans using their 30,000 lbs bunker buster bombs to destroy Iran’s nuclear facility in Fordow and a warplane that can carry it to the site.
President Trump is now pressing aides to make sure that the bomb could actually destroy Fordow, if they use it, according to Axios.
Israeli officials signaled they are confident that Trump will ultimately go ahead with the proposed bunker buster strike.
Trump revealed that Carlson called him to apologize for going ‘too far’ in his criticisms
Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon hosted a podcast criticizing Trump for allowing Israel to bomb Iran
The president has been in the middle of an ideological split among his most loyal MAGA supporters for most of the week as different factions have voiced their support or opposition to the Israeli war in Iran.
Journalist Tucker Carlson criticized Trump’s support for the Israeli strikes in Iran, noting in a newsletter published Monday that ‘many in Trump’s MAGA movement are not happy.’
‘US says it was “not involved,”‘ Carlson wrote. ‘That’s not true. Trump is complicit in an act of war.’
Both Carlson and former political strategist Steve Bannon appeared on each other’s podcasts on Monday sharing their growing alarm that the president was launching another ‘forever war’ in the Middle East that would effectively ‘end’ his presidency.
The quiet behind-the-scenes conversations appear to be successful, as Bannon conceded Wednesday that Trump’s followers could ultimately support the strikes in Iran if he made the case to the American people.
Trump also revealed that Carlson called to apologize to him.
‘Tucker’s a nice guy. He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong and I appreciated that,’ Trump revealed in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
Carlson spent significant time and resources during the 2024 presidential campaign supporting Trump, campaigning on his behalf and speaking at the Republican National Convention.
Former President Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene at the president’s golf course
Tucker Carlson and President Trump campaigned together in 2024
Republican hawks who support Trump getting further involved with the war in Iran hammered Bannon and Carlson for their views, accusing them of acting as ‘isolationists.’
Senior officials also worked to demonstrate support for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, after reports detailed the president’s dissatisfaction with her.
Gabbard’s decision to release a video warning the United States that ‘we are closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before’ angered backers of the military strikes in Iran, who condemned her for rogue messaging.
Vice President JD Vance stepped up to defend Gabbard, as ‘a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of President Trump, and a critical part of the coalition he built in 2024.’
‘She’s an essential member of our national security team, and we’re grateful for her tireless work to keep America safe from foreign threats,’ Vance continued.
The president said Wednesday in the Oval Office that he had not yet made a decision whether he wanted to use U.S. military force against Iran, but said he was headed to the Situation Room for a ‘War Room’ meeting.
Trump also indicated earlier Wednesday that he had run out of patience with the Iranian regime to make a deal.
‘It’s already run out,’ he said. ‘They had 60 days … plenty of time, and they made a mistake.’
