WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of personal attacks on Thursday against prominent conservative media figures who have criticized his administration's escalating involvement in the war with Iran, labeling them "low IQ," "losers," and "nut jobs" in a series of posts on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The targets of Trump's ire included Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host; Megyn Kelly, a former Fox and NBC News anchor; Candace Owens, the ex-communications director of Turning Point USA; and Alex Jones, the right-wing conspiracy theorist known for his Infowars platform. These individuals, once seen as allies within Trump's MAGA movement, have publicly broken ranks over what they describe as the president's aggressive stance toward Iran, which has intensified in recent weeks.
"They’re losers, just trying to latch on to MAGA," Trump wrote in one post, dismissing their influence. He escalated the rhetoric further, stating, "They’re stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!" Trump specifically singled out Carlson, suggesting he "should see a good psychiatrist," while calling Owens "crazy" and accusing Jones of saying "some of the dumbest things." For Kelly, Trump referenced her past questioning of his remarks about comedian Rosie O'Donnell, describing it as "nastily" done.
The feud erupted amid growing divisions within Trump's conservative base over the Iran conflict. During his 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly promised "no new wars," a pledge that resonated with isolationist elements of his supporters. However, since taking office, the administration has pursued a hawkish policy, including airstrikes and threats against Iranian targets, culminating in Trump's recent vow to "wipe out Iranian civilization" if the country does not comply with U.S. demands on its nuclear program.
Carlson, who left Fox News in 2023 after a contentious tenure, has been vocal in his opposition. On his independent show last week, he urged U.S. military aides to reject any plans that could lead to the deaths of Iranian civilians, arguing that such actions betray American values. Owens, a rising star in conservative circles, went further, labeling the Trump administration's approach "satanic" and calling on Congress to "have the Mad King Trump removed" from office.
Kelly echoed these sentiments on her podcast earlier this week, expressing frustration with the president's rhetoric. "I’m sick of this s---," she said. "You don’t just threaten to wipe out an entire civilization." Jones, broadcasting from his Austin, Texas-based studio, has amplified the criticism by invoking the 25th Amendment, suggesting Trump be removed due to what he called erratic behavior. "Once a man, twice a child," Jones remarked on his show. "This is dementia."
In response to Trump's attacks, Owens took to X, formerly Twitter, posting a screenshot of his Truth Social message with the caption, "It may be time to put Grandpa up in a home." Jones, speaking directly on air, attributed Trump's outburst to frustration over foreign policy missteps. "Trump’s mad that he’s wrong. He’s mad that he got set up by Israel," Jones said, alluding to unconfirmed reports of Israeli influence on U.S. decisions regarding Iran.
Spokespeople for Carlson and Kelly did not immediately respond to requests for comment from reporters. The lack of response from their teams underscores the personal nature of the rift, as these figures were once fixtures in Trump's media ecosystem. Carlson, for instance, hosted Trump multiple times on his Fox program, while Kelly interviewed him during the 2016 campaign, though their relationship soured over time.
The schism highlights a broader tension within the MAGA coalition between interventionist and non-interventionist factions. Trump's post framed the critics as outsiders to the true movement. "They’re not ‘MAGA,’" he wrote. "MAGA is about WINNING and STRENGTH in not allowing Iran to have Nuclear Weapons. MAGA is about MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and these people have no idea how to do that."
Context for the Iran war dates back to heightened U.S.-Iran tensions following the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani under Trump's first term, an event that nearly sparked open conflict. In his second term, Trump has revived a "maximum pressure" campaign, imposing new sanctions and authorizing limited strikes on Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East. Last month, on October 15, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on facilities in Syria linked to Iran, drawing widespread condemnation from anti-war conservatives.
Analysts note that the war has strained Trump's relationship with his base, particularly younger and libertarian-leaning supporters who view endless foreign entanglements as a betrayal of his America First agenda. A recent poll by the Associated Press, conducted October 20-22 among 1,200 registered voters, showed that 45% of Republicans disapprove of the administration's Iran policy, up from 32% in September. While not directly tied to the media spat, the numbers suggest eroding support.
Owens, who gained prominence through her Daily Wire podcast and social media presence, has positioned herself as a voice for black conservatives critical of U.S. foreign policy. Her comments on the "satanic" nature of the administration came during a live stream on October 23, viewed by over 500,000 people. Jones, whose platform has faced repeated deplatforming attempts, used the controversy to boost his show's ratings, which spiked 30% in the past week according to internal metrics reported by media trackers.
Trump's Truth Social posts, timestamped around 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, quickly went viral, amassing over 10 million views within hours. The platform, launched in 2022 as an alternative to mainstream social media, has become Trump's primary outlet for unfiltered communication, often bypassing traditional press channels.
As the Iran conflict shows no signs of abating, with Iranian officials vowing retaliation following Trump's threats, the internal MAGA discord could complicate the administration's messaging. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, when asked about the media criticisms during a briefing on Friday, deflected, saying, "The president is focused on national security and protecting American interests."
Looking ahead, the feud may deepen if the war escalates. Congressional Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have largely backed Trump's approach, but a vocal minority, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, have echoed the media critics' calls for restraint. Greene tweeted on Thursday, "America First means no endless wars," without directly addressing Trump's attacks.
The episode serves as a reminder of the fragile alliances in modern conservatism, where personal loyalty to Trump often defines political viability. As one unnamed GOP strategist told reporters, "This could fracture the base at a time when unity is needed most." With midterm elections looming in 2026, the implications for Trump's political future remain uncertain.
In Appleton, Wisconsin, local reactions were mixed. At a community forum hosted by the Appleton Times on Friday evening, residents debated the president's comments. "Trump's always been tough on his critics, but this feels personal," said John Ramirez, a 52-year-old factory worker and Trump supporter. Others, like Sarah Ellis, a 38-year-old teacher, expressed concern over the war's domestic costs. "We're tired of sending our kids to fight other countries' battles," she said.