WASHINGTON — Warmonger radio host Mark Levin and former Trump administration official Joe Kent sparred during a heated radio interview Monday, with Kent accusing Levin of helping push President Donald Trump toward war with Iran — a claim Levin forcefully denied.
Kent, who recently resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has publicly broken with the administration over its handling of Iran, arguing the country posed “no imminent threat” to the United States despite claims from officials.
In a resignation message directed to Trump, Kent urged the president to reconsider the U.S. approach, writing that Trump could “reverse course and chart a new path” or risk further instability.
During the interview, Kent alleged that Levin, a longtime advocate of a hardline stance on Iran, used his media platform to influence policy decisions leading up to the conflict, which escalated after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran beginning Feb. 28.
“Through official engagements, through the Israelis and then also the media echo chamber … we need to say that the Iranians can’t do enrichment,” Kent said, suggesting broader pressure shaped the administration’s posture.
Levin rejected the accusation, stating he never directly lobbied Trump.
“I never lobbied the president,” Levin said during the exchange, adding that he had met with Trump only once at the president’s request and that Trump was already familiar with his views through his broadcasts.
The conversation grew tense as Levin repeatedly interrupted Kent, at one point saying, “Hey, hey! Pay attention to me!” while disputing the claim.
Kent countered that influence could be exercised through media exposure rather than direct lobbying, arguing Levin’s show itself could serve as a means of shaping policy discussions.
“You can lobby him by using the power of your show,” Kent said.
The exchange highlights broader divisions among conservatives over U.S. involvement in Iran, as well as questions about the role of media figures in shaping political decision-making.
Kent’s resignation and criticism have drawn attention within Republican circles, though his stance has also been met with backlash, including criticism from Trump, who reportedly called him “weak.”
The dispute underscores ongoing debate about the influence of political commentators and the extent to which public advocacy can affect policy at the highest levels of government.
Joe Kent destroys Mark Levin and forces him to go to a commercial break after saying President Trump was fed false intelligence about Iran.
Kent says he was a key member of the Trump administration who helped determine Iran’s threat level.
He tells Levin the real threat was coming from Israel, not Iran.
JOE KENT: There was an imminent threat coming from the Israelis.
MARK LEVIN: Interrupts, starts playing music, and goes to a commercial.
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