Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson urged President Donald Trump to continue working toward peace with Iran, saying he is “really afraid” that the United States could be “weakened” if it gets further involved in the Middle Eastern conflict.
Israeli forces have struck Iran multiple times since Friday, though Trump clarified that the U.S. has had “nothing to do” with the escalation between the two countries. Carlson said he believes Trump is “sincere” in trying to reach peace, but that Trump’s presidency could be at stake if the U.S. gets involved in “another” war in the Middle East.
“I think we’re going to see the end of American empire, obviously other nations would like to see that and this is a perfect way to scuttle the USS America on the shoals of Iran, but it’s also going to end, I believe, Trump’s presidency,” Carlson explained on Steve Bannon’s War Room. “Effectively end it, and so that’s why I’m saying this.”
TUCKER CARLSON: The reason I’m speaking out is because if we get dragged into this, we could be witnessing the end of the American empire.
It could effectively end Trump’s presidency.
I’ve seen it happen myself with George W. Bush and Iraq.@TuckerCarlson pic.twitter.com/bFzAEA7hff
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) June 16, 2025
Steve Bannon asked Carlson what he specifically meant, to which Carlson pointed to former President George W. Bush‘s involvement in the war in Iraq and how it was “the sum total” of his administration. He said Bush had “all kinds of plans” for the U.S. domestically beyond the war.
When asked what he would say to Trump face-to-face, Carlson said he would tell Trump he is “the only person who can bring peace,” and he should continue working toward this even if it takes “a long time.”
Last week, Carlson said on X that the divide is not between those who support Israel or Iran, but is instead between “warmongers and peacemakers.” Those in the former category, Carlson said, include those who “demand air strikes and other direct U.S. military involvement in a war with Iran.”
The real divide isn’t between people who support Israel and people who support Iran or the Palestinians. The real divide is between those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers. Who are the warmongers? They would…
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 13, 2025
PUTIN CALLS TRUMP TO WISH HIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DISCUSS MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS
Trump said Monday that Iran wants to make a deal to de-escalate the conflict, but it should have reached an agreement in the 60-day time frame he offered the country. He added that Iran is “not winning this war,” and that its leaders ought to talk to him “before it’s too late.”
.@POTUS: “I’d say Iran is not winning this war. They should talk — and they should talk immediately before it’s too late.” pic.twitter.com/GxtFTdjZgr
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 16, 2025
On Truth Social, Trump urged Iran and Israel to reach a deal, issuing a call to “MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”