Senator Ted Cruz recently took aim at conservative commentator Tucker Carlson over his foreign policy views, labeling him as “bat crap crazy” for adopting what Cruz calls “hardcore isolationist” positions. This exchange unfolded during Cruz’s podcast, "Verdict with Ted Cruz," where he previewed an upcoming interview with Carlson.
The interview, which was set to air on Carlson’s podcast, quickly turned contentious. Cruz anticipated a heated discussion, especially in light of recent Israeli military actions against Iran’s nuclear capabilities. During the conversation, Cruz expressed his agreement with Carlson on many issues but strongly disagreed with his foreign policy stance.
Cruz pointed out that Carlson had been critical of former President Donald Trump, accusing him of being "complicit" in the Israeli attacks and warning of a potential World War III. Cruz described the interview as combative, with Carlson challenging him on various points, including Iran’s population—something Cruz admitted he didn’t have memorized.
The senator defended his views, arguing that the exact population of Iran was irrelevant to the broader discussion about U.S. foreign policy. He also criticized Carlson for suggesting that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has an outsized influence on U.S. foreign policy, calling it an unhinged conspiracy theory.
Cruz further accused Carlson of dismissing facts regarding Iran’s threats, specifically an incident where the Department of Justice charged an Iranian individual for allegedly plotting to assassinate Trump. Cruz noted that Carlson seemed unaware of this situation, which he found concerning.
In a related response, Trump himself criticized Carlson for his views on the Middle East, emphasizing that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
Cruz concluded by stating that both isolationism and interventionism are flawed approaches. He described himself as a "non-interventionist hawk," advocating for a strong military presence as a deterrent to conflict. He believes that maintaining strength is essential to prevent wars rather than engaging in them unnecessarily.