Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Fox News host Tucker Carlson and other conservative figures in a series of posts on Truth Social. Trump claimed Carlson is a "low IQ person" and "highly overrated," while also targeting Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones with similar remarks. The posts come amid ongoing tensions within the MAGA movement.
Poll Data Fuels Trump's Claims
A recent poll by UMass Lowell's Center for Public Opinion showed Trump with a 61% net favorable rating among Republicans, while Carlson had a net favorable rating of 7%. Trump referenced this poll in his posts, contrasting his own popularity with that of Carlson and others.
Additional Targets
Trump also attacked Fox News host Jessica Tarlov, calling her "one of the Least Attractive and Talented People on all of Television." He criticized her for discussing his negative poll numbers during a segment on The Five. Additionally, Trump targeted former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent, who resigned over opposition to Trump's Iran war. Trump questioned Kent's intelligence and made personal remarks about his remarriage after the death of his first wife, Shannon Kent, a Navy cryptologic technician killed in Syria in 2019.
Context of the Feud
The criticism of Carlson follows a long-standing feud between the two, sparked by Carlson's comments on Trump's handling of the Iran war. Trump has previously accused Carlson of being disloyal to the MAGA movement. The broader attacks on conservative media figures and officials reflect ongoing divisions within the Republican Party as Trump seeks to reassert his influence ahead of the 2024 election.