In a political landscape already fraught with sharp divisions, former President Donald Trump has stepped in to urge a cooling of rhetoric on one of the most contentious issues facing conservatives today: Israel. According to reports published on February 18, 2026, Trump has privately asked former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to "turn down the temperature" on his outspoken criticism of Israel, reflecting growing fissures within the right over how to approach the ongoing war in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel.
Melissa Francis, a former Fox Business anchor, revealed that Trump’s intervention comes at a time when the conservative movement finds itself increasingly divided on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Everybody’s looking for a way to turn down the temperature," Francis told the Jerusalem Post, adding that, "President Trump is telling everyone, including Tucker, 'Let’s take this down.'"
Carlson, who has gained a massive following through his podcast since leaving Fox News, has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Israel’s leadership—especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has not shied away from inviting guests who are openly critical of Israeli policy, and his own commentary has drawn ire from some corners of the Republican Party while earning praise from others who feel the U.S. should rethink its approach to the conflict.
The rhetoric reached a fever pitch last year when Carlson, appearing on the popular podcast hosted by Theo Von, referred to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as the "enemy of civilization." The comment underscored just how far some voices on the American right have moved from the previously unshakeable pro-Israel consensus that dominated the party for decades.
Carlson is not alone in his criticism. Other Republicans, such as former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, have also voiced skepticism or outright opposition to continued U.S. support for Israel. Their arguments range from concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza to broader questions about America’s strategic interests in the region.
These divisions have only deepened since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023. That day, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking many hostages—a tragedy that shocked the world and set off a chain of events with devastating consequences. Since then, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians, many of them children, according to multiple reports cited by TNND and the Jerusalem Post.
The scale of the humanitarian crisis has become a flashpoint for debate in the United States, with activists and political figures on both sides of the aisle calling for a reassessment of Washington’s role in the conflict. For many younger Republicans, the calculus appears to be shifting. A poll released earlier this year found that just 23% of Republicans aged 18 to 44 believe the United States should increase its support for Israel—a striking figure that highlights the generational divide within the party.
This generational gap is not just about foreign policy; it also reflects deeper questions about America’s identity and its place in the world. For decades, unwavering support for Israel was a cornerstone of Republican orthodoxy, championed by figures from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush. But the rise of new media voices and the proliferation of alternative viewpoints have challenged that consensus, creating space for more critical perspectives to emerge.
It’s in this context that Trump’s call for moderation takes on added significance. As the de facto leader of the Republican Party, his ability to influence the tone and direction of the debate is considerable. Yet, even Trump—whose own relationship with Israel was a defining feature of his presidency—appears to recognize the risks of letting the issue become a source of open warfare within the party.
"Everybody’s looking for a way to turn down the temperature," Francis reiterated, suggesting that Trump’s message was as much about preserving party unity as it was about shaping policy. The former president’s request reportedly extended not only to Carlson but to other influential voices on the right, in hopes of preventing further escalation in the rhetoric that has sometimes veered into personal attacks and inflammatory language.
For Carlson, the pushback represents both a challenge and an opportunity. As one of the most prominent conservative commentators in America, his willingness to question long-held assumptions about U.S.-Israel relations has earned him a devoted following among younger, more skeptical Republicans. At the same time, it has exposed him to criticism from traditionalists who view any deviation from the pro-Israel line as a betrayal of core values.
The broader political context cannot be ignored. With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, Republicans are keenly aware that the party’s stance on Israel could become a litmus test for voters—especially as Democrats grapple with their own internal divisions over the conflict. The emergence of a vocal, critical wing within the GOP has complicated efforts to present a united front, raising questions about how the party will navigate an issue that has become both morally and strategically fraught.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. International organizations have sounded the alarm over the scale of civilian casualties, and images of destruction have fueled calls for a ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts. For many Americans, the conflict is no longer a distant foreign policy issue but a deeply personal matter that touches on questions of justice, security, and national identity.
Against this backdrop, Trump’s intervention can be seen as an attempt to steer the conversation back toward civility and constructive debate. Whether his efforts will succeed remains to be seen. The divisions within the right are real and growing, and the war in Gaza shows no signs of abating. But for now, at least, the call to "turn down the temperature" serves as a reminder that even the most heated political arguments can benefit from a moment of reflection—and perhaps, a bit of restraint.
As the Republican Party wrestles with its future direction on Israel and the Middle East, the voices of Carlson, Greene, Massie, and others will no doubt continue to shape the conversation. But with Trump urging a more measured approach, the coming months may reveal whether the party can bridge its internal divides—or whether the debate over Israel will become yet another fault line in America’s ever-shifting political landscape.