Kent's Israel Claims Spark GOP Rift

0:00It's March 19th. Here's your entertainment news in two minutes. Joe Kent, a top counterterrorism official and President Trump's administration, resigned over the decision to go to war with Iran. He quickly appeared on Tucker Carlson's podcast, claiming Israeli leaders pushed the U.S. into the conflict. Kent argued this mirrored past tactics that drew America into other Middle East wars. Kent went further, blaming Israel for influencing the Iraq war, and even linking it to the death of his wife, a navy cryptologist killed in Syria. He raised questions about pro-Israel groups and unresolved issues around the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, fueling conspiracy talk. Republican leaders reacted strongly. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Kent's views virulent anti-Semitism. Jewish groups, like the Republican Jewish coalition, had opposed his nomination from the start, citing ties to extremism. President Trump later said he saw Kent as weak on security.

1:01This has exposed deep cracks in the Republican Party's long support for Israel. Right-wing media is splitting, too, with figures like Ben Shapiro blasting Carlson for platforming fringe ideas, while others like Megan Kelly criticized pro-war voices as Israel first advocates. Tensions show no sign of easing, hosts like Mark Levin, a strong warbacker, have invited Kent on their shows for a debate. Meanwhile, feuds between Carlson, Shapiro, and personalities like Candace Owens highlight how foreign policy debates are mixing with old prejudices. We'd like to thank our sponsor for making this episode possible. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones, built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-I-SOL-PILLOW.com