A new ideological fault line has emerged in the conservative movement after former Fox News host Tucker Carlson published a defense of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani against accusations of antisemitism, drawing a swift and fiery rebuke from prominent Republicans, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Carlson ignited the controversy in his newsletter by challenging claims that Mamdani, who has been a vigorous critic of Israel, holds antisemitic views. He wrote that while the incoming mayor is “Not particularly” a fan of Israel or one who wants America to fight its wars, calling him a “Jew hater” is “a different conversation,” adding, “We’ve never seen anything to suggest he falls into that ugly camp because he doesn’t.”
Carlson was careful to note his general concern, stating he still “fears for the future of New York City” after Mamdani’s win.
However, Carlson’s defense of Mamdani was immediately met with outrage from conservatives who are staunchly supportive of Israel. Senator Ted Cruz took to social media Thursday, delivering a harsh condemnation of Carlson, “Now Comrade Tucker is defending Comrade Mamdani, I guess they share mutual enemies.”
Cruz’s retort highlights the deepening division within the Republican coalition, where some are now blaming Carlson for fostering a split over foreign policy and support for the Jewish state.
Conservative YouTuber Vince Dao joined the criticism, expressing sadness that Carlson would “embrace the enemy like this” after being an inspiration to his own ideological evolution.
Despite the conservative backlash, Carlson’s assertion that Mamdani is not an antisemite has been echoed by some journalists. Jewish journalist Isaac Saul backed up the claim, stating that there is “really very little evidence Mandani is an anti-semite,” noting the mayor-elect has the support of “several prominent Jewish leaders who know him well.”
The incident comes at a sensitive time for the conservative movement, following an earlier controversy surrounding Carlson’s interview with far-right influencer Nick Fuentes.
That interview had already triggered an uproar in conservative circles, with some arguing that Fuentes should be platformed due to comments he has made against Jewish people, a topic of conservative infighting that the Mamdani defense has now intensified.
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