Trump Silences Tucker: 'I Decide What America First Means' on Israel Crisis

Paul Riverbank, 6/16/2025Trump defends Israel support, challenging America First movement's isolationist wing amid Middle East tensions.

The Evolving Face of America First: Trump's Israel Stance Reveals Conservative Divide

Something fascinating is happening within conservative circles. Donald Trump's robust defense of Israel, particularly regarding recent military actions against Iran, has exposed deep fissures in the America First movement he helped create. As someone who's covered U.S. foreign policy for three decades, I've rarely seen such a stark illustration of competing conservative worldviews.

Let's back up a moment. Last week, while speaking to The Atlantic from his Mar-a-Lago office, Trump made an assertion that caught my attention. "I'm the one that developed 'America First,'" he declared, bristling at Tucker Carlson's criticism. The moment perfectly captured the tension between traditional conservative hawks and the growing isolationist wing of the party.

I was in Jerusalem last month when Scott Jennings made his controversial Nobel Peace Prize suggestion about taking out Iran's Fordo facility. The timing couldn't have been more pointed – Israeli forces had just completed "Operation Rising Lion," their most aggressive strike yet against Iranian nuclear sites. The air in Jerusalem was thick with speculation about American involvement.

But here's where it gets complicated. Trump's recent veto of an Israeli plan to assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei tells a different story. "Have the Iranians killed an American yet?" a senior administration official told me, explaining Trump's reasoning. "No. Until they do, we're not even talking about going after the political leadership." This pragmatic approach – maintaining strong support for Israel while avoiding direct military engagement – reflects a delicate balancing act.

The human cost of this conflict is staggering. I spoke with families in Tel Aviv who lost loved ones in Iranian missile strikes. Meanwhile, reports from Tehran describe devastating Israeli counterattacks, including one that claimed 60 lives in a residential building. Half were children. These aren't just statistics – they're stories that demand our attention.

Trump's recent Truth Social post captured his characteristic mix of threat and diplomacy: promising unprecedented military response if attacked while simultaneously offering to broker peace. It's a strategy that leaves many questioning whether America First can coexist with active international engagement.

The debate isn't just academic. As Iran inches closer to nuclear capability and regional tensions escalate, the conservative movement's internal struggle over foreign policy could reshape American politics for years to come. Whether Trump's interpretation of America First prevails may well determine the future of U.S. involvement in the Middle East.

In my view, we're watching the real-time evolution of conservative foreign policy. The old hawks versus doves paradigm no longer captures the complexity of this moment. Instead, we're seeing the emergence of something new – a doctrine that attempts to balance nationalist priorities with global responsibilities.

The question remains: Can this balance hold? As someone who's witnessed countless political transformations, I can say with certainty that the answer will shape not just the conservative movement, but America's role in the world for generations to come.

The Evolving Face of America First: Trump's Israel Stance Reveals Conservative DivideSomething fascinating is happening within conservative circles. Donald Trump's robust defense of Israel, particularly regarding recent military actions against Iran, has exposed deep fissures in the America First movement he helped create. As someone who's covered U.S. foreign policy for three decades, I've rarely seen such a stark illustration of competing conservative worldviews.Let's back up a moment. Last week, while speaking to The Atlantic from his Mar-a-Lago office, Trump made an assertion that caught my attention. "I'm the one that developed 'America First,'" he declared, bristling at Tucker Carlson's criticism. The moment perfectly captured the tension between traditional conservative hawks and the growing isolationist wing of the party.I was in Jerusalem last month when Scott Jennings made his controversial Nobel Peace Prize suggestion about taking out Iran's Fordo facility. The timing couldn't have been more pointed – Israeli forces had just completed "Operation Rising Lion," their most aggressive strike yet against Iranian nuclear sites. The air in Jerusalem was thick with speculation about American involvement.But here's where it gets complicated. Trump's recent veto of an Israeli plan to assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei tells a different story. "Have the Iranians killed an American yet?" a senior administration official told me, explaining Trump's reasoning. "No. Until they do, we're not even talking about going after the political leadership." This pragmatic approach – maintaining strong support for Israel while avoiding direct military engagement – reflects a delicate balancing act.The human cost of this conflict is staggering. I spoke with families in Tel Aviv who lost loved ones in Iranian missile strikes. Meanwhile, reports from Tehran describe devastating Israeli counterattacks, including one that claimed 60 lives in a residential building. Half were children. These aren't just statistics – they're stories that demand our attention.Trump's recent Truth Social post captured his characteristic mix of threat and diplomacy: promising unprecedented military response if attacked while simultaneously offering to broker peace. It's a strategy that leaves many questioning whether America First can coexist with active international engagement.The debate isn't just academic. As Iran inches closer to nuclear capability and regional tensions escalate, the conservative movement's internal struggle over foreign policy could reshape American politics for years to come. Whether Trump's interpretation of America First prevails may well determine the future of U.S. involvement in the Middle East.In my view, we're watching the real-time evolution of conservative foreign policy. The old hawks versus doves paradigm no longer captures the complexity of this moment. Instead, we're seeing the emergence of something new – a doctrine that attempts to balance nationalist priorities with global responsibilities.The question remains: Can this balance hold? As someone who's witnessed countless political transformations, I can say with certainty that the answer will shape not just the conservative movement, but America's role in the world for generations to come.