Trump launches secret bid to end MAGA civil war and get key allies on board with Iran strikes

By CHARLIE SPIERING, SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER, WASHINGTON, DC

Published: 14:56 BST, 19 June 2025 | Updated: 14:57 BST, 19 June 2025

The White House is quietly working behind the scenes to quell an ongoing civil war in President Donald Trump’s MAGA political movement, people familiar with the effort tell the Daily Mail. 

After the first Israeli military strikes on Iran began last Thursday, prominent  supporters voiced their outrage as they believed he would not get the United States in any more conflicts in the Middle East. 

Carlson criticized Trump’s support for the Israeli strikes in Iran, noting in a newsletter published Monday that ‘many in Trump’s MAGA movement are not happy.’

‘US says it was “not involved,”‘ Carlson wrote. ‘That’s not true. Trump is complicit in an act of war.’

The president has been in the middle of an ideological split among his most loyal MAGA supporters for most of the week as different factions have voiced their support or opposition to the Israeli war in Iran.

Both Carlson and former political strategist Steve Bannon appeared on each other’s podcasts on Monday sharing their growing alarm that the president was launching another ‘forever war’ in the Middle East that would effectively ‘end’ his presidency. 

The quiet behind-the-scenes conversations appear to be successful, as Bannon conceded Wednesday that Trump’s followers could ultimately support the strikes in Iran if he made the case to the American people. 

Trump also revealed that Carlson called to apologize to him. 

Trump revealed that Carlson called him to apologize for going ‘too far’ in his criticisms 

Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon hosted a podcast criticizing Trump for allowing Israel to bomb Iran

‘Tucker’s a nice guy. He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong and I appreciated that,’ Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Carlson spent significant time during the 2024 presidential campaign to support Trump, campaigning on his behalf and speaking at the Republican National Convention. 

Republican hawks who support Trump getting further involved with the war in Iran hammered Bannon and Carlson for their views, accusing them of acting as ‘isolationists.’ 

Senior officials also worked to demonstrate support for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, after reports detailed the president’s dissatisfaction with her performance. 

Gabbard’s decision to release a video warning the United States that ‘we are closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before’ angered supporters of the military strikes in Iran, who condemned her for vigilante messaging. 

Former President Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene at the president’s golf course

Tucker Carlson and President Trump campaigned together in 2024 

Vice President JD Vance stepped up to defend Gabbard, as ‘a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of President Trump, and a critical part of the coalition he built in 2024.’

‘She’s an essential member of our national security team, and we’re grateful for her tireless work to keep America safe from foreign threats,’ Vance continued. 

The president said Wednesday in the Oval Office that he had not yet made a decision whether he wanted to use U.S. military force against Iran, but said he was headed to the Situation Room for a ‘War Room’ meeting. 

Trump also indicated earlier Wednesday that he had run out of patience with the Iranian regime to make a deal.

‘It’s already run out,’ he said. ‘They had 60 days … plenty of time, and they made a mistake.’

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Trump launches secret bid to end MAGA civil war and get key allies on board with Iran strikes

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