Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has criticised Donald Trump for mocking Islam in a controversial Easter-morning social media post that threatened Iran, warning that such rhetoric could inflame religious tensions and deepen the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Carlson made the remarks on Monday, strongly condemning the president’s language and religious tone. According to him, no US president should mock any religion, particularly during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.
“No president should mock Islam, that's not your job,” Carlson said, denouncing Trump’s comments.
The dispute erupted on April 5, Easter Sunday, when Trump posted a profanity-laden message on Truth Social warning Iran of potential military action if it failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In the post, Trump wrote that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F---in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
The remarks quickly drew criticism from political commentators and analysts, with Carlson arguing that the president’s statement mocked religious belief and risked escalating tensions into a broader religious conflict.
Carlson, who has previously been an ally of Trump but has grown increasingly critical of US involvement in the Middle East conflict, said the president’s language crossed a line.
“Who do you think you are? You’re tweeting out the f-word on Easter morning. So, obviously, you’re mocking the religion of Iran. OK. If you seek a religious war, that’s a good idea. But by the way, no decent person mocks other people’s religions,” Carlson said.
He added that while disagreements over theology are normal, ridiculing religious beliefs undermines the broader concept of faith.
“You may have a problem with the theology. Presumably, you do if it’s not your religion, and you can explain what that is. But to mock other people’s faith is to mock the idea of faith itself,” he said.
Carlson further criticised what he described as Trump’s rhetoric suggesting a Godlike self-perception, warning that such messaging contradicts core religious teachings.
“The message of all faith at the biggest picture level is the message in our Bible, which is you are not God. And only if you think you are, do you talk this way. But it’s not just mockery of Islam,” Carlson said.
He also cautioned against turning geopolitical conflicts into religious confrontations, noting that the United States is not a theocracy and should not frame international disputes in religious terms.
“This is not a theocracy. We don’t go to war with other theocracies to find out which theocracy is more effective. We are not a theocracy. And God willing, we never will be because theocracies corrupt the religion,” he added.
Trump escalated tensions further on Tuesday, posting another warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if Iran failed to agree to a ceasefire deal. He described the deadline as “one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World.”
The president’s comments came amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which a significant portion of the world’s energy supply passes.
Carlson, who campaigned for Trump during the 2024 presidential election and has supported several of his policies, is among a growing number of right-wing media figures who have become increasingly critical of the administration since the conflict began.
Some conservative commentators have raised concerns that US policy in the Middle East is being influenced by Israel and warned that military escalation against Iran could have long-term consequences.
Carlson and other critics have also suggested that Trump risks alienating parts of his political base, particularly those who favour a more restrained US foreign policy and oppose deeper involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Political analysts say the disagreement highlights growing divisions within conservative circles over US foreign policy, particularly regarding military engagement in the Middle East.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s Easter message also reflects broader concerns about the tone of political discourse during periods of international crisis, with critics warning that inflammatory language could complicate diplomatic efforts and increase the risk of further escalation.
As tensions remain high, observers note that disagreements within Trump’s political allies may continue to shape the debate over US involvement in the Iran conflict and the broader Middle East crisis.
