Their combined influence stalled Trump’s decision.
As President Trump weighed a military strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility in June 2025, three prominent MAGA figures—Steve Witkoff, Tucker Carlson, and Vice President J.D. Vance—opposed the move, each for different reasons.
Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, pushed for a diplomatic solution, stating in March, “Iran could be persuaded to cap its nuclear enrichment.” Carlson, a conservative media voice, warned against war, writing, “Foreign wars put America last, kill innocent people, and will lead to our destruction.” Meanwhile, Vance emphasized restraint, praising Trump’s hesitation while cautioning that “he may decide he needs to take further action.”
Their combined influence stalled Trump’s decision. Carlson’s media reach amplified anti-war sentiment, while Vance’s isolationist stance gained support inside the administration. Though Trump ultimately provided Israel with intelligence and defensive support, no U.S. strike occurred.
Despite Israel’s limited solo operation, Fordow remained functional. With Iran’s retaliation killing 24 and injuring 500 in Israel, the MAGA split continues to shape Trump’s foreign policy and reveals deeper ideological fractures within the movement.