Fox News host Mark Levin has sharply criticized Vice President JD Vance and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, alleging they may be influencing President Donald Trump against military intervention in Iran. This comes as Trump indicated he would decide within two weeks whether to take action against Iran, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Levin, a well-known supporter of Israel, expressed concern that there are individuals in Trump’s inner circle urging the president to stray from his principles. He posed pointed questions regarding the roles of Vance and Witkoff, implying that their positions could undermine U.S. interests. “LET TRUMP BE TRUMP!… Is Witkoff negotiating for something less? What’s JD’s role?” Levin tweeted, criticizing what he termed a “fifth column” of isolationists that threaten national security and accusing them of promoting Iran’s agenda rather than Israel’s.
The commentary reflects the ongoing divisions within the MAGA movement, particularly regarding foreign policy. While figures like Levin and Senator Lindsey Graham advocate for strong action against Iran’s nuclear program, others, including Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk, argue for a more isolationist approach. Vance finds himself in a precarious stance as a prominent critic of military interventions abroad.
Tensions intensified recently as Trump conferred with national security advisors in the situation room, but he suggested a diplomatic resolution might be pursued instead. “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations… I will make my decision within the next two weeks,” he stated.
Levin’s comments add to the narrative of an internal struggle within Trump’s base, where competing views on foreign intervention risk fracturing the coalition that propelled Trump to the presidency. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen which path Trump will choose, as both military and diplomatic options are weighed against a volatile backdrop in the Middle East.
This landscape highlights the balancing act within the Republican Party, with factions advocating different strategies for addressing complex international threats.