Mark Levin Confronts Tucker Carlson Over Misuse of 'Neocon' Label

Tensions in the conservative movement have reached a boiling point as Mark Levin, a longtime defender of Israel and unapologetic patriot, takes a bold stand against Tucker Carlson’s inflammatory rhetoric. At the heart of this clash lies a deeply troubling trend: the coded use of the term “neocon” as a veiled swipe at Jews who support a strong American presence on the world stage especially when that presence aligns with the interests of the Jewish state.

Tucker Carlson, once a colleague and friend of Levin’s, has drifted into a troubling pattern of isolationist rhetoric that often mirrors talking points from the far-left. In his commentary, Carlson frequently criticizes "neocons," a term historically rooted in a movement of liberal intellectuals many of them Jewish who rejected the radicalism of the 1960s and embraced the Republican Party. These individuals, proud believers in American exceptionalism and moral clarity, were instrumental in advancing President Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy and ultimately contributed to America’s Cold War victory.

Today, however, Carlson and his ilk on the so-called "woke right" use “neocon” as a derogatory label to smear anyone who supports U.S. engagement in global affairs, particularly in the Middle East. For many, this is more than a policy disagreement it’s a subtle way to demonize Jews under the guise of anti-interventionism.

Levin is having none of it.

When U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff echoed Carlson’s line in a recent interview claiming that “neocons believe war is the only way to solve things” Levin responded with fury and clarity. “LOL; the envoy talks like the fifth-column isolationists,” Levin tweeted. He then challenged the administration’s approach to Iran, reminding his audience who the real warmongers are: the genocidal regime in Tehran, not pro-American Jews advocating peace through strength.

Levin then made a critical point: “Neocon is a pejorative for Jew. Unbelievable.” The use of this label, he emphasized, is not about policy; it's about prejudice. He accused Carlson and others of disguising antisemitic tropes behind sanitized language, noting that their accusations shift effortlessly from “neocons” to “Israel,” “Netanyahu,” or “Zionists” terms that have been twisted into dog whistles for hate.

Carlson’s retort, delivered with trademark smugness on his radio show, mocked Levin’s concerns and sidestepped the issue entirely. He even tried to deflect by noting Witkoff’s Jewish background an irrelevant point that does nothing to excuse the toxic narrative.

Levin, never one to back down, fired back with unfiltered honesty. He exposed the strategic choice of words by those on the far-right who hide their contempt for Jews behind policy debates. “They don’t say, ‘The Jews are dragging us into war,’” Levin thundered. “They say, ‘Israel is, Netanyahu is.’ That’s the game.”

He called out the absurdity of equating advocacy against the Iranian regime with warmongering. Supporting action against threats like Iran, which has openly vowed to annihilate both Israel and the United States, is not aggression it’s responsibility.

Middle East expert David Wurmser, himself often unfairly labeled a “neocon,” backed Levin’s perspective. He warned that Carlson’s worldview now mirrors that of radical leftists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez more than traditional conservatives. Wurmser summed it up powerfully: “You can’t make America great again by making it retreat again.”

As internal rifts in the conservative movement grow deeper, voices like Levin’s serve as a vital reminder of what’s truly at stake. It’s not just a battle over foreign policy it’s a defense of decency, of American ideals, and of the Jewish people’s right to stand tall without being targeted by slander dressed as debate.

Israel stands strong because of unwavering truths and the courage to confront falsehoods. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and join us in supporting truth, justice, and a secure future for the Jewish state and its allies.