White House Addresses U.S. Strikes on Iran, War Powers Vote

Criticism from conservative media figures highlights Trump's need for loyal support

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The White House is holding a briefing to address the U.S. strikes on Iran and the upcoming Senate vote on a war powers resolution. The briefing comes amid criticism from some conservative media figures, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Matt Walsh, over the decision to go to war. The criticism highlights the importance of Trump maintaining support from his base, as well as the influence of conservative media on the administration's messaging.

Why it matters

The criticism from conservative media figures, who are typically loyal to Trump, underscores the political risks the president faces as he navigates the Iran conflict. Their words illustrate the power of conservative media to shape public opinion and the administration's response, as well as the potential for fractures within Trump's base if the war effort is perceived as going poorly.

The details

Much of the criticism has centered on Israel's influence on Trump's decision to go to war. Tucker Carlson told ABC News that the attack was "absolutely disgusting and evil" and that "the United States didn't make the decision here. Benjamin Netanyahu did." Megyn Kelly said that "no one should have to die for a foreign country" and that she didn't think the U.S. service members "died for the United States." Matt Walsh wrote on X that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was "flat out telling us that we're in a war with Iran because Israel forced our hand."

  • The White House briefing is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on March 4, 2026.
  • The Senate is expected to vote on a war powers resolution after the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The players

Karoline Leavitt

The White House press secretary who will be holding the briefing.

Tucker Carlson

A former Fox News host who has built his own independent media operation and has been critical of the U.S. strikes on Iran.

Megyn Kelly

A former Fox News anchor who has also been critical of the U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict.

Matt Walsh

A host at The Daily Wire who has criticized the administration's messaging around the Iran strikes.

Marco Rubio

The Secretary of State who said that Trump approved the operation knowing that Israel was prepared to strike and fearing retaliation from Iran.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard to say this, but the United States didn't make the decision here. Benjamin Netanyahu did.”

— Tucker Carlson (ABC News)

“No one should have to die for a foreign country.”

— Megyn Kelly (Megyn Kelly's show)

“We knew that if we didn't preemptively go after them, before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties.”

— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State (Capitol Hill briefing)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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