A series of clips from an interview between prominent US conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson and US Senator Ted Cruz have gone viral, igniting controversy over the senator’s foreign policy positions and apparent gaps in basic geopolitical knowledge about Iran.
The full conversation, released on Wednesday on The Tucker Carlson Show, showcases rising tensions within Trump’s right-wing base over the US role in the Middle East, particularly regarding Israel, Iran, and the possibility of wider war.
The rift within Republicans has seen Trump’s “Make America Great Again” base, or “America Firsters”, generally opposing the US being dragged into another war in the Middle East. The hawks within his base and his administration have been pushing the US into greater involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
In a striking exchange, Carlson and Cruz engaged in a heated argument over US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, with voices raised as they shouted over each other.
Carlson pressed Cruz on the population of Iran, asking,
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“How many people live in Iran, by the way?”
Cruz replied, “I don’t know,” before being interrupted by Carlson: “You don’t know the population of the country you seek to topple?”
NEW: Republican Senator Ted Cruz is completely stumped after Tucker Carlson asks him what the population of Iran is.
Tucker: How many people live in Iran?
Cruz: I don’t know the population.
Tucker: You don’t know the population of the country you seek to topple?
Cruz: How… pic.twitter.com/7ES655jIud
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 18, 2025
A person on X wrote, “Tucker Carlson was taken aback by the level of ignorance of Senator Ted Cruz. He is advocating to overturn the regime of a country he knows nothing about??”
Another social media user added, “If you’re calling for the bombing of or entry of war, you should at least be informed about the country you’re targeting”.
Ted Cruz, in the interview with Tucker Carlson, couldn’t answer a single basic question about Iran about the population and ethnic composition of the country and admitted that the US is helping Israel bomb Iran.
This is an absolutely insane state of the US politicians. Morbid. pic.twitter.com/LyBVbZ7iU9
— Olga Bazova (@OlgaBazova) June 18, 2025
The clips led to a broader discussion about the implications of Cruz’s statements.
A person on X highlighted the cultural and religious ignorance displayed by Cruz, posting: “The American establishment that wants regime change in Iran & claim that they care about Iranians actually knew nothing about Iranians, their population or religions or even ethnic groups, Ted Cruz in Tucker Carlson interview thinks that all Iranians are ‘Persian Shias’ 😂”.
Similarly, Donna Miles, a writer and columnist, wrote, “Tucker Carlson’s interview with Ted Cruz is truly eye-opening.
This is how the Iraq disaster happened, and the reason why we are here today, on the brink of a major global war.”
Tucker Carlson’s interview with Ted Cruz is truly eye-opening.
This is how the Iraq disaster happened, and the reason why we are here today, on the brink of a major global war.
Iran war hawks are ignorant sycophants.
They know nothing about Iran, its resilient people and its… https://t.co/iGIBXEVoDY
— Donna Miles دانا مجاب (@UnPressed) June 18, 2025
Cruz attempted to deflect, stating that he doesn’t “sit around memorising population tables”, but this only fuelled further criticism of his readiness to advocate for military intervention.
The controversy extended beyond Iran, with another clip drawing attention to Cruz’s views on alleged Israeli espionage on the US.
@tuckercarlsonnetwork
Why is it so hard to say that it’s not okay for foreign governments to spy on our president? Watch the full episode tomorrow at 1PM ET
♬ original sound – Tucker Carlson Network
Carlson questioned Cruz about reports that Israel spies on American officials, to which Cruz responded, “They probably spy on us and we spy on them. Friends and allies spy on each other.”
Reflecting a sentiment shared by many, a social media user wrote, “Thanks Tucker for showing the world the real Ted Cruz… It’s time that America no longer be controlled by Israel.”
Ted Cruz openly admits that Mossad, Netanyahu and Israel spy on our government and even our President.
Think about that.
Many Trump supporters are okay with Israel starting a war send US Soldiers to fight their battle.
Allies do not spy on each other. https://t.co/O2r8qtGj2F
— Thomas Paine Band (@ThomasPaineBand) June 18, 2025
On TikTok, people pointed to Cruz’s financial ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, with one asking, “Why can’t a US politician simply admit that it’s not in America’s best interest to be spied on by Israel? Hint: he has accepted 1.9 million from AIPAC,” with another suggesting he should be asked this question “after stopping his AIPAC cheque”.
Social media reactions have been sharply divided, with some mocking Cruz for his lack of basic knowledge, while others accused him of prioritising foreign interests over those of the United States.
The interview’s timing is significant, given the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. On 13 June, Israel launched unprovoked strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear programme, military leadership, scientists and residential areas, prompting retaliatory missile attacks from Iran.
Publicly, the US has said it is playing a supportive role in the conflict, but Cruz, seemingly mistakenly, admitted that “we” were striking Israel when discussing the strikes with Carlson. After Carlson pushed back, he corrected himself, saying Israel was striking, but that the US was playing a supporting role.
President Trump’s social media posts, claiming “complete and total control of the skies over Iran” and demanding “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER”, have further intensified debates about US involvement.
As tensions mount, the interview serves as a flashpoint for discussions about America’s role in the region and the accountability of its leaders.
