Tucker Carlson is facing sharp criticism from fellow conservatives after declaring that he would not vote for Republican Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers “at gunpoint” while praising his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, as “literally Trumpian.”

Carlson made the remarks Wednesday during The Tucker Carlson Show in a conversation with Saagar Enjeti of Breaking Points. Carlson went beyond criticizing Rogers’ record, calling the Republican a “tool of Israel and the intelligence agencies” and questioning how he could have secured the GOP nomination.

Carlson also agreed with Enjeti’s characterization of El-Sayed’s campaign as “almost Trumpian,” despite El-Sayed being a progressive Democrat endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and facing criticism from Republicans over his positions on healthcare, Israel, and foreign policy. Carlson went further, saying El-Sayed’s agenda was “literally Trumpian.”

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz blasted Carlson’s remarks on social media, calling them “Utterly insane.”

Carlson’s comments effectively put him at odds with President Donald Trump, who is backing Rogers in the closely watched Michigan contest. Rogers, a former congressman who chaired the House Intelligence Committee, won the Republican nomination unopposed after previously losing his 2024 Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin.

El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director, defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary and has campaigned as a progressive populist. He supports Medicare for All and has called for an end to U.S. arms shipments to foreign militaries, specifically criticizing aid to Israel. His campaign has also faced controversy over his association with provocative left-wing streamer Hasan Piker and remarks concerning Israel and a Michigan synagogue attack.

The Michigan race could have major consequences for control of the Senate, making Carlson’s refusal to support the Republican nominee particularly consequential. Rogers and El-Sayed are locked in a competitive contest, with recent polling showing El-Sayed holding a narrow advantage.

Carlson’s intervention has therefore intensified an already bitter debate within the right over foreign policy and the meaning of the America First movement. Critics argue that publicly dismissing a Republican nominee while elevating a progressive Democrat risks helping Democrats win a seat Republicans need to retain control of the Senate.