MAGA figures like Tucker Carlson and J.D. Vance have rallied behind Witkoff, warning against another Middle East war.
An influential group of Republican hawks is privately urging former President Donald Trump to abandon nuclear talks with Iran and approve an Israeli strike on Tehran’s facilities.
During a private White House lunch last week, conservative host Mark Levin warned Trump that Iran was “days away” from a bomb—claims contradicted by U.S. intelligence.
Levin also urged Trump to allow Israel to launch an attack. Trump reportedly pushed back, warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu such action would derail diplomacy.
“They’re trying to push the president to make a decision that’s not what he wants,” a senior administration official said.
Levin has been publicly attacking Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is spearheading the negotiations. MAGA figures like Tucker Carlson and J.D. Vance have rallied behind Witkoff, warning against another Middle East war.
“There is zero credible intelligence that suggests Iran is anywhere near building a bomb,” Carlson said.
The split highlights a deepening GOP divide between hawks and anti-war populists.
GOP hawks are lobbying Trump to abandon nuclear diplomacy with Iran and approve an Israeli strike—sparking fierce resistance from MAGA leaders and deepening internal party divides.