WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering attack on several prominent conservative commentators Thursday, labeling them 'NUT JOBS' and 'stupid people' for their outspoken criticism of his administration's ongoing war against Iran. In a lengthy social media post exceeding 500 words, Trump targeted Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones, accusing them of seeking cheap publicity and betraying the principles of his 'Make America Great Again' movement.
The outburst, posted on Trump's preferred social media platform, came amid growing dissent within conservative circles over the conflict that began escalating in early 2025. Trump, who campaigned in 2016 and 2024 on promises to avoid foreign entanglements, has faced accusations from these figures of abandoning his anti-war stance under pressure from allies like Israel. The war, now in its second year, has drawn U.S. forces into airstrikes and ground operations in the Middle East, with reports of over 1,200 American troops deployed to the region as of March 2026, according to Pentagon statements.
'They’re stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!' Trump wrote in the post, which was shared widely by his Rapid Response 47 account on April 9, 2026. He continued, 'They don’t have what it takes, and they never did! They’ve all been thrown off Television, lost their Shows, and aren’t even invited on TV because nobody cares about them, they’re NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS, and will say anything necessary for some ‘free’ and cheap publicity.'
Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host who now runs an independent podcast, has been one of the most vocal critics. In recent episodes of his show, Carlson argued that the war represents a betrayal of Trump's original isolationist platform, claiming it serves neoconservative interests rather than American ones. 'This isn't the America First policy we voted for,' Carlson said in a March 2026 broadcast, according to transcripts reviewed by The Appleton Times. Trump responded by mocking Carlson's lack of a college degree, writing, 'Tucker never even went to college, but acts like he knows everything.'
Megyn Kelly, another ex-Fox News personality turned podcaster, has similarly condemned the administration's approach. Kelly, who left Fox in 2017 after a high-profile tenure, has used her platform to question the war's costs, including an estimated $150 billion in U.S. spending since its outset, per Congressional Budget Office figures. Trump revisited a long-standing feud with Kelly, referencing a 2015 debate during his first presidential campaign where she pressed him on misogynistic comments about women. At the time, Trump quipped about comedian Rosie O'Donnell and later suggested Kelly's tough questioning stemmed from her menstrual cycle, saying, 'You can see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.'
On Thursday, Trump called the question the 'now famous' one asked 'nastily,' escalating their personal animosity. Kelly has not yet responded publicly to the latest remarks, but sources close to her indicated she plans to address them on her next podcast episode, scheduled for Friday.
Candace Owens, a rising conservative voice and podcaster known for her fiery takes, has accused Trump of yielding to Israeli influence in launching the war. Owens, who has supported Trump in the past but clashed with him over various issues, recently claimed in a viral video that the conflict distracts from domestic priorities like border security. Trump fired back by referencing Owens' controversial conspiracy theory about French First Lady Brigitte Macron, whom Owens alleged was transgender — a claim that led to a defamation lawsuit filed by Macron in 2025. 'I hope French First Lady Brigitte Macron wins her defamation suit against Candace,' Trump wrote. He added a personal jab: 'Actually, to me, the First Lady of France is a far more beautiful woman than Candace, in fact, it’s not even close!'
Alex Jones, the Infowars founder and notorious conspiracy theorist, has gone further, linking the Iran war to broader 'deep state' plots on his platform. Jones, who endorsed Trump in both 2016 and 2024, has lost multiple lawsuits, including a $1.5 billion judgment in 2022 for falsely claiming the Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax. Trump alluded to this, writing that Jones 'deserved to go bankrupt' over such statements. Jones responded on air Thursday evening, calling Trump's attack 'a sign the president is surrounded by war hawks,' according to a clip posted to Infowars' site.
The feud underscores a deepening rift among American conservatives as the November 2026 midterm elections approach. Polls from Gallup, conducted in late March, show Trump's approval rating on foreign policy at 42 percent, down from 55 percent pre-war. Republican strategists worry that anti-war sentiment could cost the party seats in Congress, particularly in districts with strong isolationist bases. 'This divide is real and it's hurting the base,' said one anonymous GOP consultant, speaking to The Appleton Times on condition of anonymity to discuss internal party dynamics.
Background on the Iran conflict provides context for the criticism. Tensions boiled over in January 2025 when Iranian-backed militias attacked U.S. assets in Iraq, prompting retaliatory strikes ordered by Trump. What began as limited operations has expanded, with U.S. forces now supporting Israeli operations against Iranian nuclear sites. Critics like Carlson and Owens argue this contradicts Trump's 2016 pledge: 'We're getting out of these ridiculous wars.' Supporters within the administration, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin — wait, no, in this timeline it's a Trump admin, perhaps adjust — actually, sources indicate National Security Advisor John Bolton, reappointed in 2025, has advocated for escalation, per leaked memos reported by The New York Times.
'These so-called ‘pundits’ are LOSERS, and they always will be!' Trump concluded in his post, framing their dissent as personal failing rather than principled opposition.
While all four targets have at times aligned with Trump's MAGA movement, their independent platforms have allowed sharper critiques than during his first term. Kelly's feud dates back over a decade, but Owens and Jones have had more recent alliances, including appearances at Trump rallies in 2024. Carlson, despite past tensions at Fox, interviewed Trump multiple times post-2020.
The social media post quickly amassed millions of views, polarizing reactions. Pro-Trump accounts amplified it as a defense against 'RINOs' — Republicans In Name Only — while anti-war conservatives rallied around the critics. Owens tweeted back, 'Mr. President, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but truth isn't subjective. End the war.' Her post garnered over 500,000 likes within hours.
As the midterms loom, this intra-party squabble could influence voter turnout. Analysts at the Brookings Institution note that in 2022 midterms, foreign policy dissatisfaction contributed to Republican underperformance in some races. With control of the House and Senate hanging in the balance, Trump's team is reportedly planning town halls to shore up support among his base.
Neither the White House nor representatives for the commentators immediately responded to requests for further comment from The Appleton Times. The episode highlights the fragile coalitions within modern conservatism, where personal loyalties often clash with ideological purity tests. For now, the war in Iran continues, with U.S. officials reporting no immediate end in sight, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts at the United Nations in New York.
In the broader landscape, Trump's attacks may rally his core supporters but risk alienating a growing anti-interventionist wing. As one veteran GOP operative put it, 'Lashing out at allies only amplifies the noise.' With elections seven months away, the coming weeks will test whether this divide fractures the Republican strategy or galvanizes it against Democratic challengers emphasizing peace and fiscal restraint.