MAGA rift: Why some Trump loyalists are turning on 'Israel'
For years, unwavering support for "Israel" has been a bedrock of the conservative movement, particularly within the "America First" wing championed by Donald Trump.
This alignment often stemmed from shared geopolitical interests, strong evangelical Christian support for the Jewish state, and a mutual distrust of progressive foreign policy. However, in the wake of recent events such as 'Israel' bombing of the only Catholic church in Gaza, a subtle yet significant shift is emerging, with some prominent MAGA conservatives expressing growing disillusionment and even outright criticism of "Israel".
This unexpected fracture within a historically steadfast alliance is reshaping the contours of conservative foreign policy, challenging long-held assumptions, and creating new political fault lines.
This shift is particularly striking among figures who have been staunch Trump allies. While their criticisms vary in intensity and focus, they collectively represent a departure from the traditional pro-"Israel" consensus that defined much of the Trump era.
US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor and staunch evangelical, was appointed by Trump as the US Ambassador to "Israel", a role that underscored his deep-seated support for the Jewish state. His rhetoric has historically been unequivocally pro-"Israel", rooted in his Christian Zionist beliefs. However, recent developments suggest a growing frustration.
While Huckabee remains a strong supporter of "Israel", he has expressed significant dismay over the "Israeli" government's recent policies regarding Christian tourism and visa approvals.
In a letter to the "Israeli" Interior Ministry, reported by Ynetnews on July 19, 2025, he wrote: "It is with great distress that I write to you my profound disappointment that the meeting held in your office has not resulted in what I hoped to be a simple resolution of the issue of routine granting of visas for Christian organizations and workers, as has been practiced for decades... It would be very unfortunate that our embassy would have to publicly announce throughout the United States that the State of 'Israel' is no longer welcoming Christian organizations and their representatives and is instead engaging in harassment and negative treatment toward organizations with long-standing relationships."
Furthermore, Huckabee recently condemned the killing of a Palestinian-American in the West Bank by "Israeli" settlers. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on July 16, 2025, reported by PBS NewsHour and The Times of India, he asserted: "There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act." This is a notable shift from a figure who has historically been hesitant to criticize "Israeli" actions in the West Bank.
Conservative Pundit Michael Knowles
Michael Knowles, a prominent voice at The Daily Wire, has been a vocal supporter of Trump and a leading figure in conservative media. His positions typically align with a strong nationalist and culturally conservative viewpoint.
While generally supportive of "Israel", Knowles consistently emphasizes an "America First" perspective that prioritizes American interests above all else.
This philosophy often leads him to question the extent of US foreign aid and entanglement, including with allies, rather than expressing outright disapproval of "Israel" itself. His focus remains largely on domestic cultural battles and the perceived decline of Western civilization, which can sometimes implicitly or explicitly lead to less emphasis on unqualified support for foreign nations.
On his show, "The Michael Knowles Show," reflecting his consistent commentary on foreign aid and "America First" principles, he has stated: "We hear about all this money that's going to go to Ukraine and 'Israel', and we should ask ourselves, 'Does this actually serve the vital interests of the American people, or is this serving the interests of other nations?'"
Rep. Riley Moore
Representative Riley Moore (R-WV) is a rising figure in the House, aligning with the conservative wing of the Republican Party. His legislative priorities often reflect a focus on domestic issues and fiscal conservatism.
While Rep. Moore has supported key Trump initiatives, his public statements have not consistently delved into deep foreign policy analysis regarding "Israel".
However, as part of the broader "America First" contingent in Congress, there's an inherent skepticism towards large foreign aid packages and military interventions that do not directly benefit American taxpayers or security.
This sentiment, while not an explicit denouncement of "Israel", can lead to a more transactional view of the US-"Israel" relationship, potentially clashing with the unconditional support historically advocated by some. His recent vote in favor of the "Rescissions Act of 2025", which eliminates approximately USD 9 billion in wasteful spending including certain foreign aid programs, underscores this commitment to fiscal conservatism and a re-evaluation of foreign spending.
In a statement on June 12, 2025, following the passage of the Rescissions Act, as reported by Nasdaq and his official House website, he stated: "The American people know waste, fraud, and abuse when they see it – and as the leader of the Republican Study Committee's Task Force on Rescissions, I'll continue to work to expose it. This is only the first step – more cuts are coming."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in the MAGA movement. Known for her confrontational style and embrace of populist causes, she has carved out a unique space within the Republican Party.
Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly expressed a strong non-interventionist stance, particularly regarding conflicts in the Middle East. While she has generally supported Trump, she has openly criticized potential US involvement in the "Israel"-Iran conflict, urging de-escalation.
This anti-war sentiment, rooted in her "America First" isolationist leanings, implicitly questions the extent of US entanglement in foreign conflicts, even those involving allies like "Israel". She has explicitly stated her belief that America should not be involved in "Israel's" attacks on Iran.
She recently said in an interview: "Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war... America is USD 37 TRILLION in debt and all of these foreign wars have cost Americans TRILLIONS AND TRILLIONS of dollars that never benefited any American... America should not be involved in 'Israel's' attacks on Iran."
Further emphasizing her "America First" foreign policy, she tweeted on June 22, 2025, in defense of Tucker Carlson, as reported by The Economic Times: "Foreign wars/intervention/regime change put America last, kill innocent people, are making us broke, and will ultimately lead to our destruction. That's not kooky. That's what millions of Americans voted for. It's what we believe is America First."
Rep. Thomas Massie
Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) is a libertarian-leaning conservative known for his consistent "no" votes on spending bills and his principled non-interventionist foreign policy. He has frequently challenged both Republican and Democratic leadership.
Thomas Massie has been a vocal critic of US foreign interventions and military aid, often aligning with a strictly constitutionalist and non-interventionist viewpoint. He announced plans to introduce a "bipartisan War Powers Resolution" to prohibit American involvement in the "Israel"-Iran war, emphasizing Congress's role in such matters.
His stance reflects a broader libertarian skepticism of foreign entanglements, which naturally extends to questioning the traditional scope of US support for "Israel". He consistently votes against foreign aid packages and has advocated for America to prioritize its own borders and internal affairs.
On June 16, 2025, he posted on X, as reported by Fox News: "This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution. I'm introducing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow to prohibit our involvement. I invite all members of Congress to cosponsor this resolution."
More MAGA conservatives questioning "Israel"
The shifting sentiment is not limited to the aforementioned figures. A growing undercurrent within the broader MAGA movement, particularly among younger conservatives and some populist voices, is beginning to openly question the traditional "special relationship" with "Israel". This is often framed through an "America First" lens, prioritizing domestic concerns and questioning the financial and geopolitical costs of foreign alliances.
Charlie Kirk: The founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, represents a significant segment of young conservatives.
While traditionally supportive of "Israel", his rhetoric, especially following the October 7th events and subsequent developments, has leaned towards a more "America First" interpretation of the US-"Israel" relationship. He has emphasized that American interests should guide foreign policy decisions and has been part of discussions about whether the "special relationship" needs to be re-evaluated, particularly in terms of financial commitments.
On X, on June 17, 2025, he posted: "No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy." He further stated as reported by AP News: "The last thing America needs right now is a new war. Our number one desire must be peace, as quickly as possible."
This emerging critique reflects a broader shift within the MAGA movement, where “America First” priorities are beginning to challenge long-standing Republican orthodoxy on foreign policy, particularly the US relationship with "Israel".
While still a minority view, this sentiment is gaining traction, fueled by several factors: a renewed emphasis on prioritizing domestic interests over foreign entanglements, a populist distrust of establishment-driven foreign policy, growing concerns that "Israel’s" actions could entangle the US in another Middle East conflict, and a generational shift in which younger conservatives show less ideological attachment to "Israel".
Together, these forces are reshaping the conversation on what it means to be pro-America in today's conservative landscape.
