Former President Donald Trump publicly reveled in conservative commentator Tucker Carlson's declining standing among Republican voters Friday, citing new polling that shows the former Fox News host with significantly lower favorability ratings within the GOP base.
The data, from a University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Public Opinion survey conducted in late March, found just 31% of Republicans hold a favorable view of Carlson, against 24% who view him unfavorably. In stark contrast, 77% of Republicans reported a favorable opinion of Trump, with only 3% of Democrats agreeing.
Trump seized on the numbers in a Truth Social post, labeling Carlson a "Low IQ person" who is "always easy to beat, and highly overrated." He expanded his criticism to include other media figures like Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, whom he described as "Really Dumb and mentally ill" and "completely 'fried.'"
"There are others, also!" Trump wrote. "Then we have some that are VERY GOOD, true MAGA all the way, and smart. I should do a list of good, bad, and somewhere in the middle. Wouldn't that be fascinating???"
Feud Rooted in Foreign Policy Split
The public scorn follows weeks of escalating tension between Trump and Carlson, primarily over the U.S. and Israel's joint military operations against Iran, which began in late February. Carlson has emerged as an outspoken critic of the campaign, questioning its strategy and scope.
In another post Thursday evening, Trump broadly attacked conservative commentators who have expressed concerns about the conflict, calling them "stupid people" with "Low IQ's." He suggested they were irrelevant "NUT JOBS" and "TROUBLEMAKERS" seeking "cheap publicity." He singled out Carlson, advising he "see a good psychiatrist."
The rift widened after Trump posted an Easter Sunday warning to Iran that concluded with "Praise be to Allah." Carlson accused the former president of "mocking the religion of Iran" during a podcast taping. "Who do you think you are? You're tweeting out the f-word on Easter morning," Carlson said, arguing that "no decent person mocks other people's religions."
Broader Context of Intra-Party Dynamics
The public feud highlights ongoing struggles within the Republican coalition over foreign policy direction and media influence. Trump's dominance in primary polling and favorability surveys underscores his continued command of the party's base, even as some influential voices on the right challenge his approach.
This conflict occurs as the Trump campaign works to shore up support among younger voters concerned about foreign entanglements and the economy. Simultaneously, the administration is navigating other contentious issues, such as the recent decision to extend Planned Parenthood funding, which has irritated parts of the conservative base.
The poll's timing and Trump's vigorous response suggest he is intent on punishing dissent and reinforcing his status as the GOP's definitive leader. His call for a "list" of friendly and hostile media figures indicates a continued strategy of demanding loyalty and publicly marginalizing critics, a pattern seen in other disputes, including his escalating feud with Pope Leo XIV over artificial intelligence and religious imagery.
As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, Trump's targeting of Carlson signals that internal policy debates, particularly on national security, will be met with aggressive personal and political pushback from the former president, who maintains overwhelming support within the party's primary electorate.
