Carlson responded to Trump’s criticism by downplaying the rift while acknowledging frustration with the president.

“There are times I get annoyed with Trump, right now definitely included,” Carlson told journalist Oliver Darcy, adding that he would “always love him no matter what he says about me.”

Trump’s remarks came after Carlson publicly condemned the administration’s recent strikes on Iran, calling the military action “absolutely disgusting and evil.” Carlson, who met privately with Trump in recent weeks to argue against escalating the conflict, warned the strikes could fundamentally reshape Trump’s political movement.

The former Fox News host has also taken aim at the administration on several other fronts in recent weeks, including disputes over the Epstein files and U.S. policy toward the Middle East.

Trump, for his part, has dismissed concerns about the potential fallout from the Iran strikes and framed the operation as a decisive success.

In the same phone interview with Karl, Trump praised the military operation and dismissed concerns about what comes next.

“I hope you are impressed,” Trump said. “How do you like the performance? I mean, Venezuela is obvious. This might be even better.”

Pressed about the aftermath, Trump brushed it aside. “Forget about next,” he said, arguing Iran’s capabilities have been so badly damaged that “they are decimated for a 10-year period before they could build it back.”

Trump has also brushed off Carlson’s criticism over Iran, saying it does not affect him. In a conversation with journalist Rachel Bade, the president argued that the MAGA movement remains firmly behind him.

“I think that MAGA is Trump — MAGA’s not the other two,” Trump said, referring to Carlson and Megyn Kelly, another vocal critic of the strikes. “MAGA wants to see our country thrive and be safe. And MAGA loves what I’m doing — every aspect of it… This is a detour that we have to take in order to keep our country safe and keep other countries safe, frankly.”

Carlson also stirred controversy this week after comments on his podcast linking the Chabad-Lubavitch movement to the conflict with Iran. During the episode, Carlson suggested the war could be tied to a religious effort to rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem.

“This has been going on a long time in public, through, in part, the efforts of a group called Chabad. C-H-A-B-A-D,” Carlson said.

Jewish organizations quickly pushed back on the claim. Chabad, a Hasidic Jewish movement known for its global network of community centers and campus outreach, is not a political advocacy organization.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Carlson for additional comment but did not receive a response. 

‘MAGA CIVIL WAR’ OVER IRAN IS ANOTHER FIGMENT OF MEDIA’S IMAGINATION 

Trump’s criticism of Carlson also drew praise from some of the president’s allies online. Conservative activist Laura Loomer argued that Carlson had become a political liability for the administration and questioned whether he should continue to have access to the White House.

In a post on X, Loomer wrote that if Carlson were allowed back after what she called his “crusade against Jews” and “anti-Jewish conspiracy theories,” she would no longer be able to defend the administration from accusations it tolerates antisemitism.