Melissa Francis described the Carlson-Huckabee event as more than a media spectacle.
In her telling, it is an attempt to prevent Israel from becoming the issue that breaks the Republican coalition into hostile camps at a time when “America First” arguments about foreign entanglements have grown louder and social media rewards confrontation.
“The division in the Republican Party right now has to end,” she said, arguing that the infighting is “causing endless problems.” She framed Trump as focused on keeping conservatives aligned, even when they disagree. “The enemy wins when those that are on the side of God are divided,” she added, using language that reflects the faith-based framing common among many pro-Israel conservatives.
Trump behind Carlson's Israel visit to reduce heat in conservative antisemitism debate
Melissa Francis: Behind Tucker Carlson and Ambassador Mike Huckabee's debate
Francis said she does not expect a single interview to resolve deep disagreements.
- She framed the Jerusalem sit-down as a pressure release valve, a way to replace online escalation with a public conversation that allows people to argue, clarify, and move forward.
- “I don’t have the illusion that you’re going to change people’s minds,” she said. Her desired outcome is simpler. “Let’s just stop fighting about Israel,” she said.
Whether the Carlson-Huckabee event accomplishes that goal depends on what happens on stage and what happens afterward, when clips circulate, supporters spin, and critics respond. Francis said she is trying to push the conservative conversation toward de-escalation.
The alternative, she said, is a conservative movement that cannibalizes itself, while adversaries benefit from the chaos.
Trump behind Carlson's Israel visit to reduce heat in conservative antisemitism debate
Israeli Christian leader: Tucker Carlson is 'totally wrong' about Christians in Israel
In the episode, Carlson interviewed Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem Hosam Naoum and a Jordanian Christian businessman, presenting a case that Israel mistreats its Christian population and that American Christians are unknowingly funding that mistreatment through US aid.
Huckabee responded on X on February 5, writing: "Hey @TuckerCarlson instead of talking ABOUT me, why don't you come talk TO me?" Carlson publicly agreed to a face-to-face conversation.
Tense moment in American conservative politics
The sit-down comes at a tense moment in American conservative politics, where support for Israel has become a sharper internal argument than in past years.
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