JERUSALEM (VINnews)-President Trump has directly pressed conservative commentator Tucker Carlson to help de-escalate heated divisions within the Republican Party over support for Israel, according to Melissa Francis, a former Fox News and Fox Business anchor involved in pro-Israel advocacy.

Francis told The Jerusalem Post in an interview Wednesday that Trump has urged Carlson and others to “turn down the temperature” amid growing tensions in conservative circles over U.S. policy toward Israel and “America First” arguments against foreign entanglements.

“President Trump is telling everyone, including Tucker, ‘Let’s take this down,’” Francis said.

The comments came as Carlson conducted a brief sit-down interview with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. Sources told the Post that Carlson did not leave the airport complex during his short visit, which lasted only a few hours.

Francis described the Carlson-Huckabee conversation as an effort to shift the dispute from online confrontations to structured dialogue and prevent Israel from becoming a fracturing issue in the GOP coalition.

“The division in the Republican Party right now has to end,” she said, warning that the infighting is “causing endless problems.” She added that Trump views unity as essential, even amid disagreements, stating, “The enemy wins when those that are on the side of God are divided.”

Francis, who has longstanding ties to both Carlson and Huckabee through media and political networks, said she helped facilitate the discussion after earlier attempts to secure an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not succeed. Carlson reportedly sought assurances of high-level welcome before agreeing to travel.

She portrayed Trump as patient and strategic, using private channels to encourage de-escalation rather than public pressure.

Francis emphasized Carlson’s significant influence, particularly among younger Americans, and noted strong pro-Israel backing from Christian audiences since Oct. 7, 2023. She argued that broad accusations in debates can backfire and deepen divisions.

“I don’t have the illusion that you’re going to change people’s minds,” Francis said of the interview’s potential impact. “Let’s just stop fighting about Israel.”