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    Nancy Mace Says Rift With Trump May Have Ended Her Political Career

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    admin
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    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) says her public break with President Donald Trump may have permanently damaged her political future, acknowledging that the fallout could have brought her elected career to an end.

    Mace made the remarks Monday during an appearance on NewsNation with host Chris Cuomo, where she was asked about her next move following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and the race to fill his vacant Senate seat.

    The comments come just weeks after Mace suffered a disappointing finish in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, where she placed fifth after Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette instead of her campaign.

    Epstein files became a flashpoint

    Mace’s latest split with Trump centered on the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    Last year, Mace joined a small group of House Republicans in signing a discharge petition that forced a vote on legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release its Epstein files. The law directed the DOJ to make the records public with only victims’ identities redacted.

    Congress ultimately approved the measure, and Trump signed it into law. The president had the authority to release the files administratively but instead signed the legislation after it passed both chambers.

    The issue became the latest chapter in Mace’s often complicated relationship with Trump, which has shifted between alliance and public disagreement over the years.

    Trump backed a rival

    The political fallout became evident during South Carolina’s gubernatorial race.

    In May, Trump declined to endorse Mace and instead threw his support behind Evette in the crowded Republican primary. One month later, Mace finished fifth in the race.

    She has already announced she will not seek another term in the House when her current term expires in January.

    Senate race questions remain

    During Monday’s interview, Cuomo pressed Mace on whether she plans to run in the special election created by Graham’s death.

    Earlier in the day, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of his Senate term until January. Voters will choose the Republican nominee in a special election on Aug. 11, with the winner advancing to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the general election.

    When Cuomo asked directly whether she intended to enter the race, Mace declined to give a clear answer.

    “My focus right now is focusing on South Carolina,” she said.

    Cuomo then suggested that Mace’s disagreement with Trump over the Epstein files could complicate any Senate campaign.

    “But could that be enough to ruin your chances?” he asked.

    Mace did not dismiss the possibility.

    “It may have ended my political career, Chris,” she replied.

    “You said it,” Cuomo responded.

    ‘I got my butt beat’

    Mace said she has built her political identity by criticizing members of both parties when she believes they deserve it.

    “I enjoy calling out Democrats and Republicans alike,” she said.

    She also acknowledged the reality of her recent electoral defeat.

    “I got my butt beat in the governor’s race, OK?” Mace said. “So, you know, those are all things that you sort of weigh.”

    Future remains uncertain

    Although Mace stopped short of announcing whether she will enter South Carolina’s Senate special election, her remarks highlighted the uncertainty surrounding her political future.

    Once viewed as one of the state’s rising Republican stars, Mace now faces difficult questions after her gubernatorial defeat and high-profile split with Trump. Whether she seeks another office or steps away from electoral politics altogether remains an open question.

    READ NEXT: The Unusual Souvenir Trump Wants To Keep

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    Trump Prime-Time Speech: Direct Address On Iran & Election Security

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    0
    President Donald J. Trump hosts a Rose Garden Club dinner in honor of Police Week in the White House Rose Garden, Monday, May 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    President Donald Trump will deliver a prime-time “Speech to the Nation” from the White House on Thursday evening, with senior administration officials saying the address is expected to cover a variety of topics — including election integrity and the ongoing confrontation with Iran.

    Trump announced the address Monday on Truth Social, saying it will begin at 9 p.m. ET. While he did not outline the full agenda, a senior adviser described the speech as a “potpourri” of issues the president considers most important.

    Iran expected to be a major focus

    According to a senior White House adviser, Trump is expected to provide an update on the administration’s response to Iran following weeks of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

    The address comes after the United States launched additional military strikes against Iranian targets in response to renewed threats against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly vowed to keep the strategic waterway open and has warned Tehran of further consequences if it interferes with international maritime traffic.

    Election integrity also on agenda

    The adviser said election integrity is also expected to feature prominently in the speech.

    Online speculation suggested Trump might revisit the 2020 Georgia Senate runoff elections, but the White House adviser rejected those reports, saying the president does not plan to focus specifically on those contests.

    Instead, the president is expected to discuss election security more broadly as he continues pushing for stricter voter identification requirements and other election reforms ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

    Trump wants more prime-time addresses

    Although Trump frequently speaks with reporters and holds campaign-style events, he has delivered relatively few formal, direct-to-camera prime-time addresses from the White House during his second term.

    According to the senior adviser, the president wants to make such speeches a more regular part of his communications strategy, allowing him to address Americans directly on issues he considers significant.

    The White House has not released additional details about the speech’s format or confirmed where on the White House grounds Trump will deliver the remarks.

    With Iran, election security and other major issues expected to be discussed, Thursday’s address is shaping up to be one of the administration’s highest-profile televised events in recent months.

    READ NEXT: Top Trump Official Pressured To Replace Lindsey Graham

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    Report: Patel Cancels Trip, Heads To West Wing Following Luxury Travel Allegations

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    White House image via Wikimedia Commons

    FBI Director Kash Patel was summoned to the White House on Friday after abruptly canceling a planned trip to Chicago, fueling fresh speculation about his standing inside the Trump administration as questions continue to mount over his alleged use of government resources for luxury perks.

    According to a report by MS NOW, Patel had been preparing to depart Friday morning for a trip that included a visit to the FBI’s Chicago field office and an appearance by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, at a local music festival. However, senior administration officials instructed him to report to the West Wing instead. The outlet, citing unnamed sources, said officials had grown frustrated by recent controversies surrounding the FBI director — including an ongoing feud with the network that includes a lawsuit filed by Wilkins last month over reporting on her use of Patel’s security detail.

    The White House and FBI quickly disputed that the West Wing meeting was a reprimand. An FBI spokesperson said Patel was there on “official business,” while White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the report as “fake news” and actively defended Patel’s right to mock the media.

    Questions continue to grow

    The White House meeting came as Patel faces increasing bipartisan scrutiny over his management of the bureau. Earlier this week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) requested records showing whether Patel reimbursed the government for personal travel aboard FBI aircraft and pressed him on the bureau’s unusual purchase of luxury BMW vehicles instead of traditional Chevrolet Suburbans. (RELATED: Grassley Seeks Records On Kash Patel’s Travel, Vehicle Purchases)

    The scrutiny intensified after reports surfaced about a separate letter from congressional Democrats citing whistleblower allegations. According to those reports, Patel allegedly directed FBI field offices to arrange taxpayer-funded leisure activities during official travel, including a helicopter tour, a VIP snorkeling excursion over the wreckage of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor — where more than 900 sailors and Marines remain entombed — and a jet ski outing.

    The U.S. Navy later confirmed to ABC News that the previously undisclosed Pearl Harbor snorkeling expedition had, in fact, taken place.

    Patel has denied wrongdoing, and the FBI maintains that all flights comply with policies requiring the director to use government aircraft for security reasons.

    Patel pushes back

    Hours before reports of the White House meeting surfaced, Patel publicly mocked the scrutiny on X, sharing a screenshot of an article criticizing his lifestyle.

    “Nah, my jet ski is gold plated… dumbass,” Patel wrote. “Your job is to lie. Mine is to protect the American people, and business is good!”

    Neither the White House nor the FBI disclosed what was specifically discussed during Friday’s meeting. While there is no indication Patel’s position is in immediate jeopardy, the sudden cancellation of his Chicago trip to answer to the West Wing has intensified attention on his leadership at a time when congressional oversight of the bureau is rapidly escalating.

    READ NEXT: Charlie Kirk Vote Sparks Ugly Democratic Fight

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    Stephen A. Smith Defends Trump Supporters, Calling Attacks ‘Incredibly Unfair’

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    5
    President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said this week that while he remains sharply critical of President Donald Trump’s behavior, he believes the tens of millions of Americans who voted for the president should not be condemned simply because of their political choice.

    Smith made the remarks during a conversation with Barrett Media CEO and founder Jason Barrett at the Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City, where he discussed his growing role in political commentary alongside his longtime career in sports media.

    Barrett noted that Smith’s political commentary has drawn attention from Trump himself. The president has publicly suggested Smith should consider running for office while also dismissing him at other times as a “low IQ individual.”

    Smith said he was unfazed by the insult.

    “I’m in good company,” Smith said. “He’s called quite a few people low IQ.”

    The ESPN personality added that criticism from within the African American community has been more difficult for him to deal with than Trump’s comments.

    Criticizes Trump while defending his voters

    Smith made clear that he strongly disapproves of Trump’s public conduct.

    “I’m utterly disgusted with how he behaves,” he said.

    At the same time, Smith argued that opposing Trump does not mean dismissing every person who voted for him. He noted that more than 77 million Americans cast ballots for Trump and said it is unfair to treat those voters with the same hostility directed toward the president.

    According to Smith, many people vote based on policy priorities rather than personal loyalty to a candidate.

    “I don’t have to like you to vote for you,” he said, explaining that elections often require voters to choose between imperfect options.

    Smith also stressed that he does not oppose every Trump policy, despite his criticism of the president’s rhetoric.

    Says voters consider a range of issues

    Smith pointed to the economy, immigration, abortion, and border security as examples of issues that can drive voting decisions.

    Someone may favor stricter immigration enforcement, support a pro-life position, or believe one candidate is better equipped to handle the economy without endorsing every statement or action that candidate makes, he said.

    Smith argued that reducing millions of voters to a single label ignores the complexity of political decision-making.

    He recalled an episode of his program, “The Straight Shooter,” when he abruptly ended a call after a caller claimed that everyone who voted for Trump was racist.

    Smith said he refused to entertain such a sweeping accusation because it ignored the many reasons Americans cast their ballots.

    Two-party system forces difficult choices

    Smith also argued that America’s two-party system often leaves voters choosing between candidates they do not fully support.

    Many Americans, he said, identify more closely with one party’s priorities than the other’s, even if they disagree with certain positions or aspects of the nominee’s personality.

    For that reason, Smith said it is “incredibly unfair” to attack or stereotype millions of people based solely on the candidate they supported.

    He maintained that political disagreements should not automatically become personal attacks and urged people to recognize that voters often weigh a variety of competing issues before making their decision at the ballot box.

    READ NEXT: Bernie Sanders-Endorsed Mayor Pleads Guilty To Horrible Crime

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    Tucker Carlson’s War With Trump Hits New Low: ‘Shut Up, B*tch’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    17
    Tucker Carlson via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The gloves are officially off.

    Just weeks after blasting President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, abandoning the Republican Party, and declaring “I’m out,” Tucker Carlson has launched what may be his most personal attack on the president yet.

    Appearing on the Jack Neel Podcast on Wednesday, Carlson mocked Trump as a loudmouth who talks tough but lacks the resolve to back it up.

    Recalling Trump’s repeated Truth Social warnings that Iran’s regime could be eliminated, Carlson argued the president realized there was “no obvious military solution” and tried to bluff his way through the crisis.

    “So he tried to posture his way out of it,” Carlson said, impersonating Trump. “‘We’re going to eliminate you.'”

    According to Carlson, the strategy backfired.

    “After like the 400th Truth Social, [Iran] reached the same conclusion that everyone on the globe reached, which is this guy’s not strong, he’s weak,” Carlson said. “Strong people don’t brag about how strong they are. They just punch you in the face and end the conversation.”

    Carlson then compared Trump to the kind of barroom braggart his late father once warned him about.

    “My father was a boxer at one point,” Carlson said, explaining that there are “two types of guys” in a fight.

    The first, he said, are the men who puff out their chests and shout, “What’d you say? Say it again!”

    “You don’t have to worry about those guys,” Carlson said.

    The people to fear, he argued, are the ones who stay quiet until they strike.

    “And Trump is very much, ‘What’d you say?!'” Carlson continued before delivering his bluntest insult yet.

    “Shut up, b*tch! I don’t take you seriously. No, I’m not being mean. But like, come on.”

    The extraordinary remarks mark another dramatic escalation in Carlson’s increasingly bitter feud with the president.

    Once one of Trump’s most influential allies, Carlson has spent the past several weeks repeatedly criticizing the administration’s approach to Iran, warning that the conflict betrayed the “America First” agenda that energized millions of Republican voters. (RELATED: Tucker Carlson and MTG Turn on GOP in Stunning MAGA Revolt)

    The split has only widened since then.

    As GAND previously reported, Carlson recently declared that he could no longer support the Republican Party, saying, “I would not support the Republican Party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican Party.”

    He later argued that Republican leaders had become disloyal to American voters, asking, “How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States?”

    Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) quickly echoed Carlson’s frustration, writing on social media that she, too, was “done supporting the Republican Party.”

    “There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up,” Greene wrote. “We are DONE with the America LAST Republican Party.”

    Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly rejected Carlson’s criticism.

    During the height of tensions with Iran, the president pushed back against suggestions that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was dictating American policy.

    “I call the shots,” Trump said. “I call all the shots.”

    Carlson now appears unconvinced.

    What began as a disagreement over foreign policy has evolved into one of the most public and personal feuds within the conservative movement.

    With each new interview, Carlson’s language has become more pointed—and more difficult for Republicans to ignore.

    [POLL ENCLOSED] President Trump has his eyes on the prize of stopping Iran’s mullahs from going nuclear. Let him know if you support this crucial effort.

    Tucker Carlson and MTG Turn on GOP in Stunning MAGA Revolt

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4
    Marjorie Taylor Greene -Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, via Wikimedia Commons

    For years, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene were among the loudest voices defending the Republican Party and Donald Trump’s America First movement.

    Now they’re publicly walking away.

    In a stunning rebuke of the party they helped champion, Carlson declared that he can no longer support Republicans — and Greene quickly signaled she feels the same way.

    “Tucker is not the only one who is done supporting the Republican Party,” Greene wrote Monday.

    “There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up and will not support a party that betrays its voters and country.”

    Then came the line that sent shockwaves through conservative circles:

    “We are DONE with the America LAST Republican Party.”

    The explosive comments came after Carlson’s own political breakup with the GOP during an appearance on the Can’t Be Censored podcast.

    “I would not support the Republican Party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican Party,” Carlson said. “I’m not going to support the Democratic Party — I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”

    For a man who spent decades defending Republican candidates, Republican policies, and Republican voters, it was a remarkable admission.

    And Carlson wasn’t done.

    “How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States?” he asked.

    The former Fox News star has spent weeks attacking what he sees as the Republican establishment’s willingness to involve America in another Middle East conflict. He has repeatedly blasted U.S. military action involving Iran and accused GOP leaders of putting foreign interests ahead of American citizens.

    The fight has also opened a rare and very public rift between Carlson and President Donald Trump.

    Once one of Trump’s most influential allies, Carlson has increasingly questioned the administration’s foreign policy decisions, warning that America First voters never signed up for another overseas conflict.

    Now, Greene appears to be standing beside him.

    Neither Carlson nor Greene expressed support for Democrats. In fact, both made clear their frustration runs in the opposite direction: they believe Republicans have abandoned the very voters who delivered them power.

    That sentiment is resonating with a growing segment of the MAGA base that feels disconnected from Republican leaders in Washington.

    For years, Carlson and Greene helped energize millions of grassroots conservatives.

    Today, they’re sending a very different message.

    The party they spent years fighting for may no longer be worth fighting for.

    Carlson put it in the simplest possible terms.

    “I’m out.”

    Greene’s response suggested he may have far more company than Republican leaders would like to admit.

    Have you abandoned MAGA too? Or can Trump still count on you? He needs an answer NOW.

    Senator Accuses Trump’s New Intelligence Pick of Making America More Vulnerable to Terror Attacks

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    President Donald J. Trump is presented with a 10th Combat Aviation Brigade challenge coin following an air assault and gun rain demonstration at Fort Drum, New York, on August 13. The demonstration was part of President Trump's visit to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) to sign the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, which increases the Army's authorized active-duty end strength by 4,000 enabling us to field critical capabilities in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Scaggs) 180813-A-TZ475-010

    Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) is sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump’s decision to install Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, warning the move could leave the United States more vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

    During an appearance Wednesday on MSNBC’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Ossoff blasted the appointment as one of the most dangerous personnel decisions of Trump’s presidency.

    “The installation of a thug and a hack like Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence is maybe the most chilling and the most dangerous nomination or appointment that this president has made,” Ossoff said.

    Trump announced earlier this month that Pulte would take over as acting DNI beginning Friday following the departure of Tulsi Gabbard. The move immediately drew criticism from Democrats, who argue Pulte lacks any meaningful background in intelligence, national security, or military affairs.

    Ossoff, who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee, accused Trump of prioritizing political loyalty over national security.

    “He is putting the national security of the country at risk,” Ossoff said. “His handling of this is putting the United States at risk and making a terrorist attack more likely because he is destabilizing America’s intelligence capabilities.”

    The Georgia senator also warned that Pulte could weaponize the intelligence community against Trump’s political opponents.

    “He’s putting someone in who is a political hack who will abuse his authorities in the intelligence community,” Ossoff added.

    Pulte, a longtime Trump ally and donor, has already generated controversy during his tenure at the FHFA. He has publicly pushed for investigations into alleged mortgage fraud involving several prominent Trump critics, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

    The controversy surrounding Pulte’s appointment comes amid broader turmoil over leadership at the nation’s top intelligence agency.

    Trump has nominated former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton to serve as permanent director of national intelligence. However, the nomination hit a roadblock Wednesday after Trump instructed Clayton not to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for a scheduled confirmation hearing.

    In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Clayton’s nomination process would remain on hold until Congress passes legislation combining a voter ID measure with an extension of federal surveillance authorities used to monitor foreign nationals.

    The decision frustrated some Republicans, including Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR), who called the delay “regrettable.”

    “Mr. Clayton is a patriot and a highly qualified nominee, as the president has said repeatedly,” Cotton wrote on X. “While today’s hearing is now unfortunately postponed, I look forward to proceeding with his confirmation in the near future.”

    Powerless families don’t stand a chance against government corruption without supporters like you. Read her story today — then join the fight and protect this mother.

    Whoopi Goldberg Stuns Co-Hosts, Makes the Case for Knicks Visiting Trump White House

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/191819781@N02/53626268079/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147209317

    One of Donald Trump’s most outspoken celebrity critics just made an argument few saw coming.

    During Thursday’s episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg surprised her fellow hosts by urging the newly crowned NBA champion New York Knicks to accept President Donald Trump’s invitation to the White House — despite years of tensions between Trump and the league.

    The debate erupted after reports that the Knicks, fresh off their first NBA title in more than 50 years, are expected to receive the traditional White House invitation extended to championship teams.

    Most of Goldberg’s co-hosts argued the team should decline.

    “There’s a reason why every single previous NBA champion crowned during the Trump administration refused to go,” co-host Sunny Hostin said, arguing that Trump has a history of politicizing White House appearances.

    But Goldberg broke ranks.

    “I want them to go,” she declared. “I want all those Black men to stand in our house and remind all of those people… that when you try to destroy one part of history, you’re destroying all of our histories.”

    The audience erupted in applause as Goldberg continued.

    “I want them to go. If only so the kids know that nobody — nobody — can keep you down if you are rising up.”

    The comments were notable coming from Goldberg, who has repeatedly criticized Trump throughout both of his presidencies and frequently clashes with conservatives on political issues.

    Her argument wasn’t an endorsement of Trump. Instead, Goldberg framed a White House visit as an opportunity for the players themselves to send a message by simply showing up as champions.

    The debate comes as the Knicks weigh whether to participate in one of sports’ longest-standing traditions. Several championship teams across professional sports have skipped White House visits in recent years amid political controversies, and NBA teams in particular have had a rocky relationship with Trump dating back to his first term.

    Hostin noted that Knicks players have already been asked about the possibility, with guard Jose Alvarado reportedly saying he would follow whatever decision the team ultimately makes.

    Sarah Haines echoed Goldberg’s point, arguing that the visual contrast itself could be powerful.

    “Why don’t you show up and show them what real men look like?” Haines said.

    Whether the Knicks ultimately accept the invitation remains to be seen. But Goldberg’s unexpected defense of a Trump White House visit may end up being one of the more surprising political takes to emerge from The View this year.

    [POLL ENCLOSED] President Trump has his eyes on the prize of stopping Iran’s mullahs from going nuclear. Let him know if you support this crucial effort.

    Don Jr. Torches Ted Cruz as ‘Liar’ Over Trump Iran Deal: ‘The Opposite of MAGA’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Donald Trump Jr. unloaded on Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday, accusing the Texas Republican of flat-out lying about President Trump’s controversial Iran peace agreement and fueling a growing civil war inside the MAGA movement.

    “The only problem with this quote is that @tedcruz is lying thru his teeth about the deal,” Trump Jr. wrote on X.

    “We’re not giving them a cent and he knows that. Using fake news about the peace deal to undermine @realDonaldTrump is the opposite of MAGA.”

    The blistering rebuke came after Cruz blasted the Trump administration’s newly unveiled memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran, warning it could ultimately enrich one of America’s most dangerous adversaries.

    “History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea,” Cruz told The Hill. “I think the president is receiving some very poor advice on this deal.”

    The agreement, signed this week following months of negotiations aimed at ending the 110-day U.S.-Iran conflict, has triggered fierce backlash from several Senate Republicans who argue Tehran is walking away with major concessions.

    At the center of the controversy is a proposed $300 billion investment fund intended to help rebuild Iran’s economy and infrastructure. According to Reuters, private companies from the United States, Gulf states, Asia, South America and Africa have already pledged financing for more than half of the fund, with investments targeted toward energy, transportation, logistics and manufacturing projects.

    Trump and his allies insist critics are misrepresenting the arrangement.

    Speaking at the Group of Seven summit in France, Trump flatly denied that American taxpayers would finance Iran’s reconstruction.

    “We’re not investing any money,” Trump told reporters. “We’re not putting up 10 cents.”

    The president added that private companies are free to invest if they choose, but emphasized the U.S. government is not contributing funds.

    Still, Cruz remains unconvinced.

    The Texas senator has repeatedly warned that any deal allowing Iran access to billions in investment while preserving elements of its military infrastructure would be a “disastrous mistake.” In recent weeks, he has voiced concerns that Tehran could emerge from the agreement financially stronger while retaining significant regional influence.

    Cruz is hardly alone.

    Several Republican senators have raised alarms over the agreement, with critics arguing the deal lifts pressure on Iran without permanently dismantling its nuclear ambitions or missile capabilities. Sen. Bill Cassidy called the agreement “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades,” while other GOP lawmakers have questioned whether Tehran is giving up enough in return.

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    Tucker Carlson Claims Trump Shut Down Butler Probe After Bongino ‘Confession’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    6
    Tucker Carlson via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former Fox News star Tucker Carlson is pushing a fresh conspiracy theory about the attempted assassination of President Trump — claiming the president himself ordered federal investigators to back off the probe into the July 2024 shooting in Butler, Pa.

    Carlson made the explosive allegation during an appearance on Thursday on entrepreneur Mario Nawfal’s show, where he recounted what he described as a series of conversations with former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel regarding lingering questions surrounding the attack.

    The claim was quickly shot down by Bongino, who publicly denied Carlson’s account on Friday and blasted the former cable news host as a “nepo baby.”

    “I know that, about Butler, I know that Trump shut down the investigation into Butler. That is a fact,” Carlson told Nawfal. “Dan Bongino told me that when he worked at the FBI.”

    Carlson alleged Bongino became visibly rattled after Carlson confronted him about social media posts purportedly written by gunman Thomas Crooks that Carlson claims the FBI falsely said did not exist.

    “Dan Bongino himself was terrified when I spoke to him in December,” Carlson said.

    The conservative commentator claimed he had “accidentally came into possession” of social media posts allegedly authored by Crooks in the months and years before the shooting. Carlson said he contacted both Patel and Bongino seeking answers about why the FBI had allegedly concealed their existence.

    “And Dan Bongino became hysterical with me on the phone,” Carlson claimed. “I’ve known Dan a long time for many years and always gotten along with him.”

    “He was clearly terrified. I didn’t get it at first, but he was hysterical,” Carlson continued. “And ultimately, after a long series of text exchanges, which I still have, and phone conversations, he said, ‘Look, take it up with Trump. He’s the one who shut down the investigation.’”

    Carlson said the alleged exchange occurred during the second week of December and left him questioning why Trump would halt an investigation into an attempt on his own life.

    “That was the moment and I realized, ‘Oh wow, there’s no good explanation for shutting down an investigation into your own attempted murder,’” Carlson said.

    Watch:

    Crooks, 20, opened fire during a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, grazing Trump’s ear, killing rally attendee Corey Comperatore and seriously wounding two others before Secret Service snipers fatally shot him.

    Authorities have said Crooks acted alone and have found no evidence linking him to a broader plot. However, the absence of a clear manifesto or publicly known motive has fueled persistent conspiracy theories online.

    Carlson, once one of Trump’s most influential media allies, has increasingly broken with the president in recent months. He has repeatedly criticized Trump over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and U.S. involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

    Earlier this year, Carlson suggested Trump’s worldview changed after the Butler shooting.

    “He spent his campaign in the 2024 race arguing against regime change war, attacking people in favor of it — and then he launched it,” Carlson said on his own show. “And not just launched it, but became this kind of enthusiastic tool of the government of Israel.”

    Bongino forcefully rejected Carlson’s latest allegations Friday morning in a post on X, denying he ever told Carlson that Trump shut down the Butler investigation.

    The former FBI official also took a personal swipe at Carlson, dismissing the claims and mocking the commentator as a “nepo baby.”

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