Politics

Home Politics

Trump-Backed President-Elect Levels Stunning Coup Accusation At Colombia’s Leader

Abelardo de la Espriella, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella suspended the presidential transition Tuesday and accused outgoing President Gustavo Petro of planning a coup to remain in power after Petro refused to recognize the results of the country’s election.

Petro claims progressive Sen. Iván Cepeda actually won the popular vote in Colombia’s June 21 presidential runoff, despite official results showing de la Espriella prevailing by less than 1 percentage point.

The certified tally gave de la Espriella 49.66% of the vote to Cepeda’s 48.70%.

Petro alleges the result was manipulated through algorithms operated from California by Israeli private intelligence companies. He has not released evidence establishing that those companies altered the vote count or that the officially reported results were fraudulent.

International election observers have likewise reported no evidence of irregularities that would have changed the outcome.

De la Espriella alleges plan to ‘cling to power’

De la Espriella, a conservative lawyer and businessman endorsed by President Donald Trump, responded in a video posted to social media.

He accused Petro and Cepeda of attempting to “cling to power at all costs” through what he called a “coup d’état.”

The president-elect called on Colombia’s armed forces to uphold the Constitution and disobey any unlawful orders from Petro. He also urged the international community to monitor the transfer of power and called on his supporters to “resist” until his scheduled inauguration Aug. 7.

Transition process breaks down

De la Espriella announced that he was suspending the formal transition process, known in Colombia as the “empalme,” during which the outgoing government provides information needed by the incoming administration.

Petro’s government then halted its side of the handover.

Finance Minister Germán Ávila, who is overseeing the transition for Petro’s administration, ordered his team to suspend its work in response. Ávila said the outgoing government had “nothing to hide” and criticized statements made by members of de la Espriella’s transition team.

The breakdown followed days of increasingly hostile accusations between the outgoing president and his successor.

Election observers defend vote count

International observers have not supported Petro’s claims that the runoff was fraudulent.

A European Union observer mission praised the transparency and efficiency of Colombia’s vote-counting process. The Carter Center described the system used to manage the results as reliable, transparent, and fully traceable.

De la Espriella was formally declared the winner after defeating Cepeda, who had campaigned on continuing many of Petro’s policies.

The result represented a major political setback for Petro, whose government has struggled with security concerns and a largely unsuccessful effort to negotiate peace agreements with several armed groups.

Incoming government moves ahead

Despite suspending cooperation with Petro’s administration, de la Espriella continued preparing to take office.

He announced six additional Cabinet appointments Tuesday, adding to previously named choices for the defense, interior, finance, and environment ministries.

The dispute has raised concerns about whether Colombia’s traditionally peaceful transfer of presidential power will proceed normally.

For now, Petro remains scheduled to leave office and de la Espriella is set to be inaugurated Aug. 7.

READ NEXT: Counterterrorism Takes Over Conservative Leader’s Death Probe

Scott Bessent Emerges As Top Contender For Lindsey Graham’s Senate Seat

[Photo Credit: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is being encouraged to enter the suddenly open race for South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, a move that could place one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent Cabinet officials at the center of what is shaping up to be a closely watched Republican primary.

According to Politico, supporters reached out to Bessent on Sunday, urging him to run following the unexpected death of longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The outreach immediately adds another high-profile name to the growing list of Republicans being discussed as potential successors to Graham, who represented South Carolina in the Senate for more than two decades.

Graham died Saturday at the age of 71. A preliminary autopsy determined that he died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly known as hardening of the arteries.

No indication Bessent plans to run

Despite the speculation, Bessent has given no public indication that he intends to launch a Senate campaign.

People close to the Treasury secretary told Politico that he remains focused on leading the Treasury Department, a position he had long hoped to hold. A Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment on the reports.

Still, even the possibility of a Bessent candidacy could reshape the race.

A South Carolina native, Bessent maintains homes in Charleston and Washington. Before joining the Trump administration, he built a successful career as a financier and hedge fund manager. Since taking office, he has become one of the administration’s most visible public advocates for Trump’s economic agenda, defending the president’s tax, trade, energy, and tariff policies in frequent television appearances and public events.

A different kind of Senate candidate

If Bessent entered the race, he would bring a combination of political and financial advantages uncommon for a first-time Senate candidate.

His statewide roots, personal wealth, experience in financial markets, and close relationship with Trump would make him an immediate contender in a Republican primary expected to place a premium on loyalty to the president and the ability to quickly organize a statewide campaign.

Bessent has also developed a higher political profile than many Treasury secretaries.

Initially viewed primarily as a market-focused economic expert, he has increasingly become one of the administration’s most outspoken defenders, regularly making the case for Trump’s broader policy agenda in addition to his economic initiatives.

A difficult decision

Running for the Senate would require Bessent to give up one of the most influential positions in the federal government.

As Treasury secretary, he serves as the administration’s chief economic spokesman and plays a central role in shaping tax policy, tariffs, sanctions, financial regulation, and international economic negotiations.

Those responsibilities could prove more appealing than leaving for a rapidly unfolding Senate campaign.

At the same time, opportunities to seek a Republican Senate seat in a state as reliably conservative as South Carolina are rare. The GOP nominee would begin the general election as the clear favorite.

Race expected to move quickly

South Carolina officials are expected to move quickly to fill the vacancy.

Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement while the state prepares for a special nominating process ahead of the November election.

Several prominent Republicans are already being mentioned as possible candidates, including Rep. Nancy Mace, who is reportedly giving serious consideration to entering the race.

The addition of Bessent’s name, however, would introduce a nationally recognized figure with deep financial resources and direct ties to the White House.

It would also create a significant personnel decision for Trump.

A successful Bessent Senate campaign would give the president another close ally on Capitol Hill for years to come. But it would also require Trump to replace a Treasury secretary who has become a central figure in advancing the administration’s economic agenda.

READ NEXT: Hunter Biden Scores Massive Legal Victory

Trump Sends Powerful Message By Refusing To Sign Housing Bill

President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

President Donald Trump is making a political statement without stopping one of Congress’ biggest bipartisan victories.

Rather than signing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Trump is allowing the sweeping housing package to become law automatically, using the moment to protest the Senate’s refusal to advance his preferred voter ID legislation.

“I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote on social media.

Housing bill takes effect anyway

Trump’s decision doesn’t derail the legislation. Under the Constitution, a bill becomes law if a president neither signs nor vetoes it within 10 days, excluding Sundays, while Congress remains in session.

The bipartisan package is considered one of the most significant housing reforms in decades. Among other provisions, it seeks to increase home construction, speed up environmental reviews, expand financing opportunities, encourage manufactured and modular housing, and curb certain institutional purchases of single-family homes.

Lawmakers approved the measure by overwhelming margins — 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House — giving it more than enough support to survive a veto.

Election integrity remains Trump’s priority

Trump has made clear that his focus remains on the SAVE America Act, which would establish nationwide voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal elections.

Although the House approved the bill, it has stalled in the Senate, where Republicans do not have enough votes to break a filibuster.

The president previously canceled a White House signing ceremony for the housing legislation, calling it a “big yawn” compared with the push for election integrity.

A message to Congress

Behind the scenes, Trump’s move reportedly caught Republicans off guard. Many had hoped to showcase the housing bill as a marquee accomplishment before the 2026 midterm elections, only to see it overshadowed by the president’s renewed push for voter ID legislation.

Instead, Trump chose a different strategy. By letting the bill become law without his signature, he avoided a veto fight while keeping public attention on his demand that Congress move forward with nationwide voter ID legislation.

The episode underscores Trump’s determination to keep election reform at the forefront of the national debate as Republicans head into the final stretch of the 2026 midterm campaign.

READ NEXT: Netanyahu Reveals One Big Succession Secret — And Keeps Another

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

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

Marine Le Pen Launches 2027 Presidential Bid After Court Clears Path Despite Conviction

The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

PARIS — French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen announced Tuesday that she will run for president in 2027 after a Paris appeals court upheld her conviction for misusing European Union funds but reduced her sentence and shortened her ban from holding public office, allowing her to remain on the ballot.

The ruling preserves one of Europe’s most consequential political candidacies at a time when Le Pen and her National Rally party are leading opinion polls ahead of next year’s election. With President Emmanuel Macron constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, the race is widely viewed as the strongest opportunity yet for France’s nationalist movement to capture the presidency.

Court Upholds Conviction, Reduces Penalty

The appeals court affirmed Le Pen’s conviction for diverting European Parliament funds to pay National Rally employees instead of parliamentary assistants.

Judges sentenced her to three years in prison, with two years suspended and one year to be served under electronic monitoring, along with a €100,000 fine. The court also shortened her period of political ineligibility, clearing the way for her presidential campaign.

Le Pen immediately vowed to challenge the decision before France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.

Under French law, that appeal suspends enforcement of her sentence — including the electronic monitoring requirement and political restrictions — while the case is reviewed, allowing her to campaign without immediate legal constraints.

‘Tonight, I Am a Candidate’

Appearing on French television shortly after the ruling, Le Pen left little doubt about her intentions.

“Tonight, I am a candidate in the presidential election,” she declared, while maintaining that she had committed no crime and describing the prosecution as politically motivated.

WATCH:

The legal battle is expected to continue for months, but the appeals ruling removes the most immediate obstacle to her fourth presidential campaign.

Polls Show National Rally in Strong Position

Le Pen enters the race from a position of unusual political strength.

Recent polling by major French firms has consistently placed either Le Pen or her National Rally protégé, Jordan Bardella, between roughly 31% and 36% in first-round voting — historically high numbers this far ahead of a presidential election. Pollsters say National Rally has never polled this strongly so early in a campaign.

Several surveys also indicate Le Pen would be highly competitive in a second-round runoff against leading centrist contenders, including former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe.

Relationship With Trump Has Changed

Although Le Pen praised Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory and was once viewed as one of his closest political allies in Europe, she has deliberately distanced herself from the president in recent years.

As she works to broaden her appeal among mainstream conservative and center-right French voters, Le Pen has sought to present National Rally as a governing party rather than a protest movement.

That strategy has included publicly criticizing Trump on several occasions. During a dispute last month between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Le Pen sided with Meloni and described Trump’s remarks as “very insulting.” She has also broken with the president on aspects of U.S. military intervention and European defense policy.

Legal Battle Continues

The case stems from allegations that National Rally improperly used millions of euros in European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay party staff working in France rather than parliamentary assistants assigned to Brussels.

Le Pen has consistently denied intentionally violating the rules and says the prosecution reflects an effort to sideline one of France’s leading opposition figures.

Whether France’s highest court ultimately upholds or overturns the conviction remains uncertain. For now, however, the appeals ruling has ensured that the country’s leading nationalist candidate will remain in the race, setting up what is expected to be one of Europe’s most closely watched elections in a generation.

READ NEXT: Man Sentenced In Deadly ‘Mister Rogers’ Dispute

Trump Jokes About Keeping NYSE Bell For White House Ballroom

1
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)

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump joked Monday that he planned to keep the New York Stock Exchange’s ceremonial opening bell for display in his new White House ballroom, prompting criticism from opponents and renewed attention to the administration’s ongoing renovation projects.

Trump became the first president to ring the NYSE opening bell remotely from the Oval Office during an event marking the launch of the administration’s new “Trump Accounts” investment program for eligible children.

After ringing the bell, Trump quipped, “I’m not giving it back,” before later repeating the remark during a White House luncheon.

‘They’ll Have To Fight Like Hell’

Speaking to guests in the Rose Garden, Trump again pointed to the bell and joked about making it part of the White House.

“There’s the bell right there. It’s so beautiful, I’m not giving it back. I don’t know if it’s supposed to go back, but they’re gonna have to fight like hell to get it back,” Trump said.

It was not immediately clear whether the president was speaking entirely in jest, and there has been no indication that the NYSE bell will remain at the White House.

Latest In Series Of Similar Jokes

The remark follows several similar episodes in recent months.

Last month, Olympic speed skating champion Jordan Stolz placed one of his gold medals around Trump’s neck during an event in Wisconsin. Trump joked that he was “keeping it” before returning the medal.

He made a similar quip after FIFA President Gianni Infantino brought the FIFA World Cup trophy to the White House ahead of next year’s tournament, later saying FIFA had permitted the trophy to remain on display.

Ballroom Project Draws Renewed Attention

Trump’s latest comments also focused attention on the White House ballroom project, one of the administration’s most ambitious renovation efforts.

The ballroom, originally projected to cost about $200 million, has since grown substantially in scope. Recent reports indicate estimated costs have risen to roughly $600 million, though the administration disputes claims that taxpayers will bear a significant portion of the expense.

The White House has said the ballroom will provide a secure venue for large state functions and official events.

Critics Question Costs

Democrats and preservation groups have continued criticizing the project, arguing the administration understated its expected cost and failed to adequately explain how construction will ultimately be financed.

The White House has maintained that private donors are funding much of the project and has defended the renovation as a long-overdue modernization of the executive mansion.

Whether Trump’s comments about the NYSE bell were serious or simply another off-the-cuff joke, they quickly became the latest flashpoint in the broader debate surrounding the president’s efforts to reshape the White House during his second term.

READ NEXT: Former Democrat Star Arrested On Drug Charges

Johnson Reveals His Next Move On The SAVE America Act

Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are preparing another attempt to send the SAVE America Act to President Donald Trump’s desk, this time by packaging the election integrity legislation into a future budget reconciliation bill that could bypass the Senate filibuster.

Johnson made the remarks during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” telling Shannon Bream that the bill remains one of the White House’s top priorities and pledging that the House will take it up again after passing it three previous times.

Johnson Eyes Reconciliation Strategy

“We’re going to try one more time on a budget reconciliation bill,” Johnson said. “I think that will be the way to get it through the Senate, and finally, to the president’s desk.”

WATCH:

The SAVE America Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. The House approved the measure in February, but it has repeatedly stalled in the Senate, where Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

Johnson acknowledged that reality, saying there is “zero chance” seven Senate Democrats would support the bill under the chamber’s normal rules.

Trump Continues To Push Election Bill

Johnson said President Trump considers the legislation a top priority and has encouraged congressional Republicans to continue pursuing it.

The speaker said Republicans are developing another reconciliation package that would combine election integrity measures with budget-related provisions in hopes of qualifying for the Senate’s reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority for passage.

Johnson has previously suggested tying election integrity provisions to a federal grant program for states, arguing that such a structure could satisfy reconciliation rules while encouraging states to adopt stricter voting standards.

House Conservatives Press Leadership

The issue has exposed divisions within the House Republican conference in recent weeks.

A group of conservative Republicans temporarily blocked House business after demanding the SAVE America Act be attached to must-pass legislation, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Johnson ultimately agreed to merge the election bill with the defense package before sending it to the Senate, though he acknowledged the Senate could later remove the provision.

Johnson defended his handling of the dispute, saying House Republicans remain united behind the goal of enacting the legislation despite disagreements over strategy.

Senate Outlook Remains Uncertain

Whether the proposal can ultimately pass through reconciliation remains an open question.

Senate Republicans have expressed differing views on pursuing another reconciliation package, and reconciliation rules generally limit legislation to provisions directly affecting federal spending, revenues, or the debt.

Still, Johnson said he is confident House Republicans can assemble a package that Senate Republicans will support.

“We’re planning to send over a bill that will be irresistible for any Republican,” he said, arguing it would promote affordability, reduce government waste and strengthen election integrity.

READ NEXT: Watch: Congresswoman’s July Fourth Message Leaves Millions Fuming

Insiders Say Trump Has Finally Settled On His 2028 Favorite

4
President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is increasingly signaling that Vice President JD Vance is his preferred heir to the MAGA movement, according to multiple White House insiders, though the president has stopped short of offering a formal endorsement for the 2028 Republican nomination.

The reports suggest Trump has moved away from privately weighing Vance against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and now speaks more confidently about the vice president’s political future.

White House Sources Point To Vance

According to Axios, White House aides say Trump has begun making comments such as “JD looks great” and no longer frames the question as a choice between Vance and Rubio. One administration source told Axios that “JD is earning it, and Trump sees it.”

The turning point for Vance reportedly came in mid-June when he joined presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in helping negotiate the memorandum of understanding with Iran, a key step toward ending the conflict.

The diplomatic breakthrough coincided with the June 16 release of Vance’s book, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.” Already scheduled for a promotional tour, Vance received additional national exposure because of his prominent role in the negotiations.

Vance conducted 33 interviews during June, appearing on conservative podcasts, at White House press briefings, in informal media gaggles, and on programs across the political spectrum, including HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” and ABC’s “The View.”

One Trump adviser told Axios that although the president does not watch “The View,” he saw clips from Vance’s appearance and was pleased with what he saw.

Trump Hasn’t Made It Official

Despite the reports, Trump has not publicly endorsed Vance as his successor.

Over the past year, the president has repeatedly praised both Vance and Rubio while emphasizing that the next presidential election remains years away. He has previously suggested that the vice president would naturally have an advantage but has also described Rubio as a strong potential leader.

Political observers note that withholding a formal endorsement allows Trump to maintain influence within the Republican Party while avoiding an early succession battle.

Rubio Remains An Influential Figure

Rubio continues to be viewed as one of the administration’s most influential officials, but allies say he has shown little interest in challenging Vance for the Republican nomination.

The secretary of state has publicly praised Vance and has previously indicated he would support the vice president if he decides to seek the White House in 2028.

2028 Race Already Taking Shape

Although the Republican presidential primary is still more than two years away, speculation about Trump’s eventual successor has intensified as potential candidates build fundraising networks and expand their national profiles.

For now, Trump has not formally anointed a successor. But according to White House insiders, the president increasingly appears to view Vance as the leading contender to carry the MAGA banner after he leaves office.

READ NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Predicts Democrats’ New Direction Could Cost Them Everything

Marjorie Taylor Greene Floats New ‘America-First’ Party, Says Tucker Carlson Could Upend 2028

3
By The White House - https://x.com/RepMTG/status/1925525961656717605/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=178898214

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is taking her political break with the Republican Party a step further, revealing she is actively discussing the creation of a new political movement that she says would challenge both Republicans and Democrats.

Speaking Tuesday on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Greene said conversations about launching a third party are already underway, though she acknowledged the obstacles are significant.

“I think there’s a group of us that if we decide to align, we could launch a true America-focused party that doesn’t fall into the traps of Democrats or Republicans, but could align some serious players from the right and the left,” Greene told Morgan.

Greene added that the effort would be a long-term project rather than an immediate electoral play.

“It’s difficult to launch a third party, so the reality is this isn’t something that gets off the ground in just a couple of campaign cycles,” she said. “This is a movement that has to be developed and would take time to develop.”

The comments come just days after Greene publicly declared she was finished supporting what she called the “America LAST Republican Party,” aligning herself with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who recently announced he would no longer support GOP candidates after decades as one of the party’s most influential media voices. (RELATED: Tucker Carlson and MTG Turn on GOP in Stunning MAGA Revolt)

Greene argued that Carlson’s split reflects a broader frustration among conservatives who believe the Republican Party has abandoned its voters.

Morgan also pressed Greene on growing speculation that Carlson could mount a 2028 presidential campaign.

Rather than dismiss the idea, Greene suggested he would be a formidable force if he chose to run.

“I haven’t had that direct conversation with Tucker. I know a lot of people are speculating that, and I can tell you right now, Tucker Carlson would be a great threat to both parties because there’s many Americans that are very independent that would support him, but there’s also Republican voters and Democrat voters that would support him,” Greene said. “So I would say he’s a very credible threat.”

The remarks mark another escalation in Greene’s increasingly public feud with President Donald Trump.

Once one of Trump’s fiercest allies on Capitol Hill, Greene broke with the administration over several issues, including U.S. military operations against Iran and other policy disputes. The rift intensified after Trump publicly criticized Greene and withdrew his political support, prompting her decision to leave Congress earlier this year.

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

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.