GOP Voices Distance From Trump Over Iran Policy

Republican voters and officials face a widening split over U.S. involvement in Iran and the party's direction. Tucker Carlson stated on a podcast that he sees no chance of supporting the GOP, citing its focus on Middle East conflicts at the expense of domestic priorities and closer allies such as Canada. He described the party's stance as placing foreign interests above those of U.S. citizens and said he had voted Republican throughout his life without intending to back Democrats.

Former representative Marjorie Taylor Greene posted agreement on X, writing that many people are fed up with what she called the America LAST Republican Party and will not support it, while ruling out a switch to Democrats. Greene had previously aligned with President Trump but later criticized aspects of the administration's handling of Epstein files and foreign policy.

Separate reporting from Punchbowl News indicated at least four Senate Republicans are signaling opposition to a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget that includes an additional $78 billion tied to Iran-related expenses. The package would advance through reconciliation. Senators Susan Collins, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and Bill Cassidy have each raised doubts about the measure's prospects or urged focus on other issues. Democrats are expected to oppose the full request.

A second Raw Story account described a planned Senate Republican luncheon to confront Trump on an elections bill, but that specific event and the attributed Politico sourcing could not be independently verified in other coverage. An opinion column in the Washington Examiner projected future party factions without polling or voting-record support for its groupings.

The defense budget request represents a 42 percent increase over the prior year. Administration officials have cited modernization and personnel needs, while critics point to the scale and the supplemental request. No primary records confirm Greene formally leaving the Republican Party.