Trump arranged Carlson-Huckabee interview to curb conservative infighting over Israel

Tucker Carlson arrives in Israel for interview with Mike Huckabee amid claims that Trump has pressed the far-right podcaster to avoid deepening a split on the American right regarding Israel.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Far-right podcaster Tucker Carlson arrived in Israel Wednesday for an interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, part of a reportedly broader effort orchestrated by the White House to prevent a fracturing of the American right over the issue of Israel.

On Wednesday, coinciding with Carlson’s visit, former Fox News personality Melissa Francis told The Jerusalem Post that the upcoming interview was arranged as part of an effort by President Donald Trump to rein in the growing rift among conservatives over Republican support for Israel.

Francis, a former anchor for Fox Business and contributor on Fox News, gained prominence as an advocate for Israel following the October 7 invasion.

“I pretty much fell in love,” Francis said of the Jewish state. “I came after October 7 really as a journalist from America.”

Citing her ties to Carlson and Huckabee – both former Fox News hosts – Francis said the interview is the culmination of efforts by President Trump to prevent a major fracture within his coalition of supporters.

Trump, Francis continued, has pressed his supporters who have come out publicly against Israel – including Carlson – to tone down their rhetoric on the issue.

“President Trump is telling everyone, including Tucker, that let’s take this down,” Francis said.

“The division in the Republican Party right now has to end,” she continued, warning that the conservative infighting is “causing endless problems.”

“The enemy wins when those that are on the side of God are divided.”

Francis recalled her conversation with Carlson after the idea of recording a show in Israel was first floated.

Carlson, she said, expressed interest in flying to Israel for the interview but conditioned it on receiving a signal of support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I would go tomorrow,” Carlson said, according to Francis. “I need to know that the prime minister would welcome me.”

However, Carlson was unable to receive Netanyahu’s blessing for the visit, with intermediaries telling him that the prime minister “was not interested” in responding to his overtures.

Francis said she helped arrange for Huckabee to invite Carlson in place of Netanyahu, laying the foundation for the upcoming interview.

“I guess it has to be your invitation because it’s not coming from the prime minister,” she told the ambassador.