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"Trump's war on Iran is splitting his MAGA base."

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By Mark Garrison March 04, 2026

In the news today: Superstars of MAGA media are sharply critical of Trump’s decision to go to war; the U.S. and Israel extend attacks on Iran; and key results from the kickoff of the high-stakes midterm elections. Also, a crocodile caught a very long way from home. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) POLITICS Lock step no more: Iran war shows cracks in Trump’s conservative media support For President Donald Trump, some of the sharpest criticism he’s faced in the early days of the Iran war has come from once-loyal media figures far more accustomed to singing his praises. Read more.

Why this matters: Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Matt Walsh are among those expressing discontent. It’s been noticed in the White House, which has been playing defense on social media and in interviews. To be sure, these critics are the minority of the media MAGAsphere, where Fox News’ biggest stars remain cheerleaders. But their words illustrate conservative media’s influence and how valuable it is to Trump when all runs as a well-oiled machine — and, by contrast, how much of a problem it can be if it fractures. Much of the criticism has centered on Israel’s influence on Trump’s decision to go to war. Carlson, the former Fox News star who has built his own independent operation, told ABC News over the weekend that the attack was “absolutely disgusting and evil.” “It’s hard to say this, but the United States didn’t make the decision here,” Carlson said on his podcast. “Benjamin Netanyahu did,” he added, referring to the Israeli prime minister.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Tensions flare as lawmakers question Iran war’s costs, risks and strategy Congress taking first votes on Iran war as debate rages about US goals Trump threatens to cut off trade with Spain after it disallowed US use of joint bases in Iran war Anthropic's moral stand against Pentagon raises questions about AI's readiness for military use WATCH: GOP Sen. Tillis calls for Noem’s resignation at hearing over immigration ‘disaster’ A large immigration detention camp in Texas is closed to visitors amid measles outbreak Ethics panel opens investigation of Rep. Nancy Mace over housing costs WORLD NEWS Israel targets Iran’s security forces and leadership as Iran presses attacks across the region The United States and Israel hit Iran’s capital and other cities in multiple airstrikes on Wednesday. The Islamic Republic responded with missile barrages and drone attacks on Israel and across the region. Read more.

What to know: U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, said Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones so far. He described the American strikes in the opening hours of the campaign as “nearly double the scale” of the initial attacks during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ US soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone strike at a civilian port in Kuwait Americans who died remembered as devoted parents and reservists WATCH: Iowa family remembers Army Reservist killed Military families in US anxious about war, proud of their service members Maps and graphics explaining the war Country by country, here’s how the unfolding war is affecting the Middle East A son of Iran’s late supreme leader is a possible candidate to replace his father as war rages Iran war disrupts global ocean freight and air cargo supply chains beyond oil The Iran war has upended flights across the Middle East. Here’s what travelers should know POLITICS Talarico wins Texas Senate Democratic nomination while Cornyn and Paxton head to Republican runoff State Rep. James Talarico topped Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in an expensive and fiercely contested Texas Senate Democratic primary that once again has the party dreaming of a big upset in November. Who Talarico will face depends on a May runoff between longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn and MAGA favorite Ken Paxton — a race expected to get increasingly nasty over coming months and could hinge on whether or not President Donald Trump offers an endorsement. Read more.

Why this matters: Texas, along with North Carolina and Arkansas, on Tuesday kicked off midterm elections with control of Congress at stake and against the backdrop of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. No Democrat has won a statewide race in the reliably Republican state in over 30 years, but in a statement after his victory, Talarico proclaimed “We’re about to take back Texas.” Crockett’s campaign said she planned to sue over voting issues in Dallas and she spoke only briefly on Tuesday night to warn that “people have been disenfranchised.” For all the focus on Texas, North Carolina could have a bigger impact on which party ultimately wins the Senate majority in the fall. Democrat Roy Cooper will face Republican Michael Whatley in a race that’s critical to deciding control of the Senate in November.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Takeaways from the first elections of the 2026 midterm campaigns Full results from all the races Photos of the midterm elections’ official kickoff WATCH: Talarico says ‘there is something happening in Texas’ GOP Texas congressman is forced to face a primary runoff after allegations of an affair Change in primary voting rules leads to confusion in 2 Texas counties as voters are turned away Fearing GOP upset, top California Democrat urges lagging candidates for governor to drop out A property tax revolt spreads across states, but election-year cuts hit opposition New York’s congestion toll into Manhattan upheld by a federal judge over Trump’s objections ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Sex trafficking trial: Alexander brothers used wealth to lure, drug and rape women and girls, prosecutor says ‘Deadliest Catch’: Crewman Todd Meadows dies after falling overboard, Coast Guard says Christina Applegate: Actor unleashes a raw, probing memoir: ‘You with the Sad Eyes’ Oscar race: What looked like a runaway may be a close call, after all Snooze and lose: San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes ends iron man streak because of nap injury Today in History: In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated for a second term, just six weeks before his assassination WATCH Nepal: Preparing for first election after protests that ousted previous government  Final season: ‘Outlander’ cast says goodbye in New York A CHANGE OF PACE In this photo provided by Australian Reptile Park, a freshwater crocodile caught in a creek near Newcastle, Australia, Monday. (Chloe Burgess-Jones/Australian Reptile Park via AP) Crocodile caught 1,200 miles from its tropical habitat Stephanie Kirsop didn’t believe her son when he phoned to say a crocodile was lurking in a creek near their home. The family lives 1,200 miles south of Australia’s crocodile habitat in the tropical north. Authorities were initially skeptical of the reported find but had caught the elusive reptile by Sunday night. The croc is healthy and will stay at the Australian Reptile Park until authorities decide where it should go permanently, park manager Billy Collett said. Crocs are protected under Australian law.

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