Robby's Radar: Tucker Carlson destroys Ted Cruz on Iran-Israel, and why mainstream media love war
One criticism of alternative media is that podcasters, social media personalities, and influencers who describe themselves as independent-minded often fail to ask tough questions of their guests or push back when greater scrutiny is warranted.
Joe Rogan is frequently cited as an example of this: He platforms provocative guests like Daryl Cooper and Ian Carroll, and because the format is friendly and informal, he fails to press them when they make dubious or even outrageous claims. That was the thrust of the criticism by British journalist Douglass Murray, who used his own appearance on Rogan as an opportunity to attack the host's failure to properly interrogate people Murray considers to be conspiracy theorists.
In contrast, mainstream media is characterized by hostile interviews. For examples, see every single instance of CNN, CBS, or ABC interviewing a Republican political figure — though to be fair, interviews with Democrats are often contentious as well. Politicians don't really want to be asked tough questions, but journalism is supposed to be adversarial, and the public is best served by interview formats that provoke discomfort. If the traditional mainstream format is entirely replaced by podcasts where people get to say whatever they want and face no pushback whatsoever, it would obviously be worse for the country, and politicians would absolutely prefer it.
Yet the current debate over whether the U.S. military should become more involved in Israel's war against Iran is a powerful counterexample. It showcases the unique ability of the podcast universe to cut through the mainstream media's reflexive deference to hawkish national security experts and get to the root of fundamental questions: Do the American people really want another regime-change war in the Middle East?
This dynamic was well illustrated by Tucker Carlson's recent interview with Sen. Ted Cruz (R–Texas) on X. The pair of conservative giants engaged in a two-hour exchange on the subject of Iran. It was feisty and intermittently unpleasant — for them at least. It was madly entertaining for viewers.
The interview gave Carlson ample opportunity to expose the hollowness of Cruz's position, which seemed to be that regime-change in Iran would somehow work out better than regime-change in Iraq, Libya, or Syria. We played some of that interview yesterday, and subsequently I watched the whole thing. It's really, really good, I can't recommend it enough. Here's another exchange:
Senator Ted Cruz demands regime change in Iran. He's not interested in the details.(0:00) Why Does Cruz Want Regime Change in Iran?(6:28) Is the US Currently Acting in Its Own Best Interest?(7:49) Was Regime Change in Syria Beneficial to the US?(12:31) Was the Iraq War a… pic.twitter.com/iIdENogQ2T
That brief exchange really doesn't do it justice. What happened was that Cruz accused Carlson and other critics of the war effort of being 'obsessed' with Israel, and even insinuated this was due to some vague anti-Semitic undercurrent. This accusation was remarkable because just moments earlier, Cruz had admitted his own reason for running for office was to be the most pro-Israel U.S. senator in history. Moments later, he confessed that his unwavering support for Israel was due to a Biblical passage that emphasizes those who side with Israel will be 'blessed.' In response, Carlson sardonically mused on whether the Bible's authors had a specific Israeli government in mind.
It is not anti-Jewish or anti-Israel for the U.S. to think very carefully about whether supporting and aiding military strikes against Iran is in the best interests of Americans. Israel uses American weapons to launch its attacks, and it relies on American technology to protect its own citizens from Iranian counterattack. Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks from hostile foreign powers and terrorists, but it does not have the right to single-mindedly drag the U.S. into yet another boondoggle in the Middle East, particularly without Congressional authorization.
I just introduced an Iran War Powers Resolution with @RepRoKhanna to prohibit U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war.This is not our war. Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution. pic.twitter.com/LuIl59lt45
Carlson, a Fox News host turned independent media giant, is hardly alone among podcasters in evincing skepticism about doing Israel's bidding in the Middle East. Rogan is perturbed. Theo Von has expressed horror over Israel's campaign in Gaza. Dave Smith says he regrets voting for Trump and even thinks he should be impeached for breaking his promise not to start new wars. And those are just the plausibly right-adjacent podcasters. Left-leaning ones, such as Cenk Uygur, Mehdi Hasan, and Glenn Greenwald are also speaking up.
Now consider the mainstream media. Admittedly, I have not watched every single second of commentary on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox News this past week, nor have I read every column in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and thus if the following impression is false, I stand ready to apologize. But it certainly does not appear to be the case that legacy media commentary is intensely critical of what's about to take place in the Middle East. This is not particularly surprising — in the run up to the Iraq War, mainstream media institutions were supportive on balance and frequently provided important justifications for the Bush administration. The New York Times was a particularly egregious offender.
So here's my bottom line: Disdain independent media all you want. But with the U.S. government once again gearing up to do something really reckless, that I believe a silent majority of Americans oppose, I'm glad that at least this time around, there is a healthy ecosystem of independent thinkers on the right and left who stand ready to argue against the mainstream bipartisan foreign policy consensus.
Robby Soave is co-host of The Hill's commentary show 'Rising' and a senior editor for Reason Magazine. This column is an edited transcription of his daily commentary.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
10 minutes ago
- Politico
Pope Leo XIV warns of the dangers of AI on youth
Pope Leo XIV criticized the potential negative consequences of growing AI use in a message this week — an emerging through line of his papacy. The message, released by the Vatican this week , was directed to participants of an annual conference on artificial intelligence and its ethics in Rome. Despite noting AI's potential for good, the pope also said there is a possibility for 'misuse for selfish gain' and as a way to 'foment conflict and aggression.' 'All of us, I am sure, are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development. Our youth must be helped, and not hindered, in their journey towards maturity and true responsibility,' the first American pontiff said. The pope's message on AI is part of a growing theme of his pontificate. In his first address to cardinals one month ago, he warned of the dangers of AI to 'human dignity,' POLITICO reported earlier this month. Even his choice of papal name — after Pope Leo XIII, who championed workers rights during the industrial revolution — was 'not a casual reference,' a Vatican spokesperson said shortly after the conclave ended. Leo's stance on AI is similar to that of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who warned in 2024 that our societies were experiencing a loss 'of the sense of what is human.' 'Access to data — however extensive — must not be confused with intelligence, which necessarily 'involves the person's openness to the ultimate questions of life and reflects an orientation toward the True and the Good,'' Leo said in his message.
Politico
10 minutes ago
- Politico
Vance to visit Los Angeles on Friday amid tension over ICE raids
Vice President JD Vance is set to travel to Los Angeles on Friday amid tensions in the city over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Vance will 'tour a multi-agency Federal Joint Operations Center, a Federal Mobile Command Center, meet with leadership and Marines, and deliver brief remarks,' according to a readout of the vice president's travel plans. The trip comes after Los Angeles had been rocked with significant anti-ICE protests for which President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to subdue, drawing condemnation from Democrats. The protests and unrest have since quieted — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lifted a curfew earlier this week — but the troops have remained. Gov. Gavin Newsom sued the administration to retain control of the California National Guard troops, but a federal appeals court on Thursday indefinitely blocked Newsom's efforts , landing the administration a win.
CNN
14 minutes ago
- CNN
Jewish GOP Congressman says he was ‘run off the road'
Jewish GOP Congressman says he was 'run off the road' GOP Rep. Max Miller said he was 'run off the road' on his way to work in Ohio by an individual who yelled "Death to Israel" and had a Palestinian flag. Miller is Jewish and describes himself as a staunch defender of Israel. 00:50 - Source: CNN Iran's foreign minister responds to Trump's call for negotiations After President Trump opened a two-week negotiating window before he decides whether to strike Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the country is not seeking negotiations with the United States. 00:16 - Source: CNN Obama's energy secretary on Iran's ability to make a nuclear bomb CNN's Erin Burnett speaks with Ernest Moniz, the former US energy secretary under Obama and negotiator of the Iran nuclear deal, about the country's nuclear capabilities. 02:03 - Source: CNN CDC official who resigned warns of 'older adults dying unnecessarily' Former infectious disease expert Dr. Fiona Havers speaks with CNN's Jake Tapper after resigning from the CDC citing concerns about changes to the agency's vaccine processes under US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 01:02 - Source: CNN IAEA chief says report on Iran's nuclear program 'not new' CNN's Anderson Cooper speaks with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi about the watchdog agency's report findings cited in part by Israeli authorities for its attacks on Iran. 03:24 - Source: CNN Scores killed in Gaza in latest Israeli strikes Israeli strikes in Gaza killed more than 70 people on Thursday, with multiple children dying. Injured children, screaming in pain, were brought to Baptist Hospital in Gaza City and other children appeared lifeless as they were carried into the ward. 00:45 - Source: CNN Video appears to show increase in aerial activity over Tehran CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports on the ground in Tehran, Iran, and witnesses increased aerial activity over the city as the Israel-Iran conflict continues. 01:02 - Source: CNN FDA approves twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV A drug already used to treat HIV has now been given FDA approval to prevent new infections, and the drugmaker says it is remarkably effective. 01:20 - Source: CNN Trump to allow two weeks before deciding on US strike in Iran In a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a statement from President Donald Trump regarding a US strike on Iran. 00:32 - Source: CNN Iranian missile strikes major Israeli medical center CNN's International Diplomatic Editor, Nic Robertson, reports from Beer Sheva, Israel, where a hospital was struck during an Iranian attack. Iran said it was targeting an Israeli intelligence and command center 'near a hospital.' There have been no reported deaths from the strike. 01:04 - Source: CNN Trump admin. to end 988 suicide prevention service for LGBTQ+ youth The Trump administration is ending the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth on July 17. CNN's Jacqueline Howard reports. 01:01 - Source: CNN Israel's defense minister: Khamenei cannot 'continue to exist' Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cannot be allowed to 'continue to exist,' after an Israeli hospital was struck by an Iranian missile on Thursday. 00:13 - Source: CNN SpaceX Starship rocket explodes An explosion occurred late Wednesday night at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas. A Starship rocket preparing for its tenth flight test experienced a 'major anomaly,' SpaceX says. There were no injuries and all employees are accounted for, according to SpaceX. The cause of the explosion and the extent of any damage are unclear. CNN has reached out to local police and fire departments for more information. 00:35 - Source: CNN Sole survivor of Air India crash mourns brother Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is the only survivor among 242 on board an Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. On Wednesday Ramesh attended the funeral for his brother, who died in the tragedy. 00:30 - Source: CNN Hear former President Obama's warning about direction of the US Former President Barack Obama warned that the United States is 'dangerously close' to becoming 'consistent with autocracies' during a civic group event in Connecticut. 00:56 - Source: CNN Anne Burrell dead at 55 Anne Burrell, a chef and television personality whose joyful demeanor made her a beloved fixture on the Food Network, has died, according to the network. She was 55. 00:38 - Source: CNN NYC mayoral candidate arrested at immigration court New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was released from federal custody Tuesday afternoon, hours after he was arrested by officers at an immigration court in Manhattan when he tried to escort a migrant whom officers were attempting to arrest. 01:48 - Source: CNN Trump's new phone looks a lot like one from China The Trump Organization says its upcoming T1 smartphone will be 'proudly designed and built in the United States.' But experts tell CNN they're skeptical that goal can be achieved-- and say the T1's specifications are strikingly similar to a Chinese-made phone already on the market. 01:07 - Source: CNN This is how the US could get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports on how the US could get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran while the countries continue trading strikes for a sixth day, with civilians in flashpoint areas facing waves of attacks. 02:14 - Source: CNN Trump's sons announce mobile phone company Trump Mobile, a wireless service created by the Trump Organization, aims to rival US carrier companies like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. The Trump Organization, run by President Donald Trump's eldest sons Eric and Donald Jr., announced the business and launched a new gold smartphone for pre-order. 01:09 - Source: CNN
