President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering public attack on conservative media personality Tucker Carlson, along with Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), on Friday. The verbal assault, delivered through a lengthy post on Truth Social, signals a significant escalation in tensions and widening fissures among prominent figures who were once closely aligned with the President and the broader MAGA movement.
"Tucker's 'Views' have fallen through the floor, and will only get worse. Nobody cares about him any longer in that he has become totally irrelevant, and happens to be, surprisingly, a very Low-IQ individual." — President Donald Trump, Truth Social Post
President Trump's remarks targeted Carlson as a "loser" and accused him of possessing a "very Low-IQ," claiming his "Views" have "fallen through the floor" and that "Nobody cares about him any longer in that he has become totally irrelevant." The President's post emerged following reports that Carlson had recently met with other conservatives who have also publicly clashed with President Trump, including Massie and Greene, fueling speculation about a potential challenge to the President's influence or legacy.
In his Truth Social post, President Trump further suggested that Carlson harbors political ambitions, stating, "Tucker wants to run for political office, but he should be required to take a cognitive test." Carlson, 57, has not publicly announced any plans to seek political office and has previously stated he does not intend to become a candidate. However, he recently told the Columbia Journalism Review that he aims to help build a "third party" and outlined a 10-point political vision. This has contributed to speculation among some conservatives about Carlson potentially seeking the presidency in 2028 on a platform that might align with certain aspects of the MAGA movement while also presenting an alternative to President Trump.
The President's criticism was not limited to Carlson. In the same post, President Trump also assailed Rep. Massie and former Rep. Greene, declaring them "LOSERS ALL!" He accused Greene of undergoing a political shift after he reportedly ceased returning her calls and withdrew his endorsement. Greene, who was once one of President Trump's most vocal congressional allies, has seen her relationship with the President deteriorate significantly in recent times. She has publicly criticized President Trump regarding the government’s handling of records connected to Jeffrey Epstein and accused him of prioritizing powerful donors and other interests over his political base, according to reports.
President Trump also sharply rebuked Rep. Massie, labeling the Kentucky Republican a "failed politician" and a "real JERK." The President's ire towards Massie reportedly stemmed from the Congressman's willingness to vote against legislation backed by President Trump.
Both Massie and Greene swiftly responded to President Trump's accusations. Rep. Massie took to X (formerly Twitter), asserting that the President's attack was a reaction to criticisms surrounding his policies and concerns about the upcoming midterm elections. "He posted this because we are the three he should have listened to," Massie wrote, suggesting their advice would have been beneficial. Greene also fired back, accusing President Trump of abandoning the core principles that initially galvanized the MAGA movement. "We never changed, Trump did," Greene stated, underscoring a perceived ideological drift on the President's part.
The relationship between President Trump and Carlson had previously been characterized by close political alignment, with Carlson emerging as one of the most influential media figures among President Trump's base. However, this bond has become increasingly strained as Carlson has voiced criticism on several aspects of President Trump's agenda and foreign policy stances. This latest public broadside from President Trump represents one of his most forceful attacks yet against the conservative commentator, highlighting the growing and increasingly public divisions within a segment of the conservative movement that was once seen as monolithic in its support for the President. The escalating rhetoric signals a potential reordering of allegiances and influence within conservative circles, with implications for future political dynamics and leadership.
