U.S. President Donald Trump refuted claims made by former Fox News hosts Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson that his so-called "MAGA" base does not support the recent airstrike on Iran, stating, "MAGA is Trump."

In an interview with independent journalist Rachel Bade on the 2nd (local time), President Trump said, "First of all, you have to do the right thing. We cannot allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. That is the most important issue for me."

Regarding Carlson and Kelly, Trump said, "MAGA is Trump. It's not the other two. MAGA wants our country to be prosperous and safe. And MAGA loves everything I do... Honestly, this is a detour we have to take to keep our country and other countries safe," he said.

Specifically addressing Kelly's skeptical reaction, Trump stated, "It's okay. I don't care. She's been criticizing me for years, but I've never lost. I've won by a lot three times," implying that, as in the past, he would have been re-elected in 2020 if the election "had not been rigged."

"Megyn was against me for years when I first ran, but nothing could stop me," President Trump said. "You know, some people are against you, but they eventually come back. She also came back in the end. But now, she may not like this war, but I support the war because I have to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons," he added.

Kelly said on the 2nd (Monday) regarding the war with Iran, "Why are we doing this now? What was the trigger?"

She added, "I don't think those four soldiers died for America. I think they died for Iran or for Israel."

She continued, "I have serious doubts about what we are doing. I support the President, and I participated in his presidential campaign. But that doesn't mean I have to accept another war in the Middle East without question. Tell anyone who says otherwise to get lost."

Carlson claimed in a call with ABC News last weekend that the military operation was "vicious."

Trump said that "whatever Carlson says has no impact on me."

The Hill reported that Carlson, a confidant of Trump and a strong critic of Israel, was known to have lobbied President Trump in the days leading up to the airstrike on February 28th (Saturday) to oppose an attack on Iran.

Trump has put forth the pledge of "no new wars" in his 2024 re-election campaign.

Former Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on the 2nd (Monday) during a briefing on the operation in Iran, "We did not start that war, but we are ending it."

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter, NNP USA / Special Correspondent for this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com