Sen. Ted Cruz and conservative media figure Tucker Carlson have reignited their contentious public disagreement, this time focusing on the issues of Israel, antisemitism, and U.S. policy towards Iran. The dispute, which could foreshadow a significant rift within the Republican Party, highlights the deepening ideological divides as the 2028 presidential race looms.

“I believe Tucker Carlson is the single most dangerous demagogue in this country,” Cruz stated during an antisemitism symposium in Washington, organized by the Republican Jewish Coalition and National Review. He accused Carlson of spreading antisemitism more than any other influential figure on the right.

Carlson, known for his influential conservative commentary and close ties to the White House, recently mocked Cruz and others for their reliance on Israeli intelligence. “No offense to Ted Cruz or all the other dumbos,” Carlson remarked on his podcast, questioning the quality of the intelligence shared by Israel.

The feud between these two prominent figures is not new. In a June 2025 episode of the “Tucker Carlson Show,” which ranks highly on Spotify’s podcast charts, the pair clashed directly over U.S. foreign policy towards Iran. Cruz countered Carlson’s critiques by suggesting his questioning bordered on antisemitism, emphasizing, “You’re asking, ‘why are the Jews controlling our foreign policy?’ That’s what you just asked.”

Carlson’s dismissive response to Cruz’s recent comments was brief: “Pretty funny. He’s running for president against me, which I find amusing since I’m not in the race.”

This ongoing conflict points to a broader, more troubling trend within parts of the Republican base. Data from a recent Yale Youth Poll indicates a growing skepticism among young Republicans towards U.S. Jews, with a significant increase in negative views of Israel among Republicans under 50, according to a Pew survey.

Sen. Tom Cotton also spoke at the symposium, attempting to minimize the influence of figures like Carlson on former President Donald Trump, describing them as promoters of "kooky advice" that Trump rejects.

As Cruz positions himself for a potential 2028 presidential run, he has emphasized that a key part of his platform will be combating antisemitism and maintaining a strong alliance with Israel. “I don’t want to wake up in five years and find myself in a country where both major political parties are unambiguously antisemitic,” Cruz declared, indicating the high stakes of this internal party conflict.

Both Cruz and Carlson represent significant but divergent voices within the conservative movement, setting the stage for a potentially divisive battle over the direction of the Republican Party, especially concerning foreign policy and domestic social issues.