Cruz: Carlson more anti-Trump than Democrats

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is blasting conservative pundit Tucker Carlson over the commentator’s criticism of President Trump’s foreign policy and military operations in the Middle East.

“The Democrats and the press are trying to undermine President Trump, they’re trying to undermine the U.S. military, and they’re trying to bolster Iran and the Ayatollahs. Do you know who else is doing that? … Tucker Carlson and the rest of the so-called woke right,” Cruz said during a recent episode of his “Verdict” podcast. “There is a group of isolationist folks on the right. It is a small group, but they are loud and vocal. And Tucker Carlson has now all but declared war on President Trump’s foreign policy.”

Cruz played for his podcast audience a clip of Carlson pushing back on military operations in Iran, specifically warning against Trump’s demand the regime make an “unconditional surrender” to U.S. and Israeli forces to end fighting there.

The senator called Carlson’s comments “to the left of Chris Murphy,” referencing the progressive senator from Connecticut.

“That is more anti-American rhetoric than anything I’ve ever heard Bernie Sanders say,” Cruz continued. “Tucker continues to go to new lows and new lows. The more Tucker Carlson attacks Donald Trump the more fringe he gets.”

The lawmaker’s comments were first highlighted by Mediaite.

Carlson, a former Fox News host and leading voice on the right, is one of several right-wing pundits who since the conflict in Iran began have broken with the president on the strikes and argued Americans do not support overseas military operations.

The president and many of his allies have dismissed such criticism and insisted the ongoing military operation is necessary to protect American interests and national security.

Trump, during a recent interview said comments Carlson’s are “not MAGA.”

Cruz and Carlson have sparred on several occasions in the past, most notably last summer when the pundit hosted the lawmaker for a wide-ranging interview during which they debated issues relating to Israel, Ukraine and the future of U.S. foreign policy.

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