Explosive Mike Huckabee Interview with Tucker Carlson Creates PR Headache for Trump Admin

posted on: Mar 4, 2026

By Jake Harris / Arab America Contributing Writer

US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently was interviewed by former Fox News Host Tucker Carlson in Jerusalem. Carlson has been notoriously critical of the US’s relationship with Israel. Huckabee has been a well known figure in Republican politics for decades. He served as Governor of Arkansas, and has on multiple occasions run for president. President Trump appointed him as Ambassador to Israel prior to the start of his second presidency. Huckabee is a Christian Zionist, and staunch defender of the Israeli government. He is a proponent for the close alliance the country has historically had with the United States. Huckabee defends the IDF’s actions in Gaza as a purely defensive measure against Hamas. 

Going into the interview, it was quite clear it was going to be combative in nature. The interviewer and interviewee hold very opposing views on Israel. Carlson often characterizes Israel as a liability to the United States, and a country with too much influence over the US political system. 

Huckabee Comments on Israeli Expansion

The most controversial moment of the interview involved a discussion about a well-known geopolitical hypothetical called the “Greater Israel Project”. Greater Israel refers to a proposition, often in the most far right circles of Israeli politics, that claims God promised the Jewish people the land from “the Nile to the Euphrates”. This proposed expansion of territory would give the country land in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and even parts of Saudi Arabia. Huckabee conceded the unlikeliness of such a thing happening, but he said he would not be opposed to it. Huckabee said “it would be fine if they took it all”. 

Condemnation from Arab nations was immediate. The Saudi Foreign Ministry called the remarks “irresponsible”. Jordan’s foreign ministry and the Arab League also condemned the remarks. The US embassy in Jerusalem said no policy has changed, and that the quote lacked context. The US embassy pointed to Huckabee also reiterating that Israel has no intention to make the expansion a reality. 

President Trump, and the West Bank

Donald Trump, since the initial Israel-Iran ceasefire said he will “not let Israel have the West Bank”. This quote, which was reiterated on more than one occasion during the President’s numerous audiences with the press is directly at odds with Huckabee’s position that the territory is biblically promised to Israel as Judea and Samaria. 

Carlson confronts Huckabee about meeting with convicted spy

Carlson confronted Huckabee about his relationship with Johnathan Pollard, an ex-intelligence analyst for the US who was convicted of spying on behalf of Israel. Huckabee, despite admitting that he committed a serious crime, had advocated for his release back in 2011 during his 30-year prison sentence for espionage. Huckabee argued his sentence was harsh compared to other similar cases. Carlson called him the “greatest traitor in modern history”. He pointed out that he sold plans for conflict with the Soviet Union to the Israeli government. Mike Huckabee met with Pollard at the US Embassy in Jerusalem in July of 2025. 

Tucker Carlson: A lightningrod of Conservative Debate

Carlson continues to be a massive point of contention and debate in conservative circles, the interview drew fury from the likes of influencer Laura Loomer who continued to question why Trump continues to have dialogue with “Tucker Qatarlson”. Carlson has been visiting the White House on multiple occasions in recent months. He has become the center of the divide in right wing politics over not only Israel, but the US’s level of intervention in the region as a whole. 

The US Military strikes in Iran dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” have led to Iranian Airstrikes in US bases throughout the gulf states, creating a stronger relationship between these countries in their opposition to Iran. Regardless of this fact, the story regarding US policy towards Israeli expansionism will not go away in the minds of Arab states. It is a diplomatic tight rope that the US must walk slowly to avoid risking the economic and political support of these Arab nations.

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