As MAGA rift widens, Trump calls for 'a real end' to Israel-Iran conflict

US President Donald Trump bristled when asked about some of his MAGA faithful, including conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, who have suggested further US involvement would be a betrayal to supporters who were drawn to his promise to end US involvement in expensive and endless wars.

“Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, 'IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'” the president wrote on social media.

Other prominent Trump supporters have also raised concerns about how far the president should go in backing Israel.

Representive Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk are among prominent Trump World allies who've noted that voters backed Trump because he promised not to entangle the nation in foreign clashes and to be wary of expanding US involvement in the Mideast conflict.

The Republican president spoke to reporters early on Tuesday aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington after abruptly leaving the international summit in Canada because of rising tensions in the Middle East.

Israel, with five days of missile strikes, has done considerable damage to Iran and believes it can now deal a permanent blow to Tehran's nuclear programme — particularly if it gets a little more help from Trump.

Trump told reporters on Air Force One during his overnight flight back to Washington that Iranian leaders had been unwilling to reach an agreement over their nuclear programme, suggesting he was now less interested in talking with them. “They should have done the deal. I told them: Do the deal,” Trump said. “So I don't know. I'm not too much in the mood to negotiate.”

The Republican president, who said he plans to meet with advisers in the Situation Room, appears to be gradually building the public case for a more direct American role in the conflict. His shift in tone comes as the US has repositioned warships and military aircraft in the region to respond if the conflict between Israel and Iran further escalates.

In the span of about eight hours Monday, Trump went from suggesting a nuclear deal with Iran remained “achieveable” to urging Tehran's 9.5 million residents to flee for their lives as he cut his visit to the international G7 summit short to return to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team.

Trump expressed frustration with Iranian leaders for failing to reach an agreement, adding that he wants “a real end” to the conflict and a “complete give-up” of Tehran's nuclear programme.

Trump shares Huckabee's lengthy text message of praise

On his social media site, Trump shared a screenshot of the text from Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel. Huckabee's also a Baptist minister and a former Arkansas governor. He opens by referencing last year's attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania, saying Trump was spared by God to be the “most consequential President in a century — maybe ever.”

Huckabee says no president in his lifetime “has been in a position like yours. Not since Truman in 1945.” That's a reference to President Harry Truman's decision to drop an atomic bomb on Japan during World War II. You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU!” Huckabee wrote, adding, “It is my honour to serve you!”

Trump again dismisses comments of one of his top aides

Back in March, National Intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers US spy agencies did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon. Asked about the comment aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed her remark. “I don't care what she said,” Trump said. “I think they were very close to having it.”