Tucker Carlson Warns of Massive U.S. Bomb Shipment to Israel

A social-media post by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson claimed the United States is preparing to deliver “40,000 tons of bombs” to Israel. The post cited an unnamed federal official and a Washington Post report that a $2.8 billion package of 20,000 MK-84 general-purpose bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 precision-guided bombs is forthcoming. The Washington Post also reported the inclusion of 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator bunker-busting bombs.

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The alleged sale follows the Hamas attack of October 2023, which killed roughly 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, prompting Israel’s war in Gaza. U.S. assistance to Israel has risen sharply since that conflict, with supplemental appropriations of $8.7 billion passed by Congress in April 2024 and an estimated additional $21.7 billion spent between October 2023 and September 2025, according to a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute.

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• Bomb quantities: 20,000 MK-84 (2,000-pound) bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, plus 20,000 I-2000 Penetrators.

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• Explosive power: An MK-84 contains roughly 1,000 pounds of TNT; Carlson noted that the total TNT would exceed the 15,000-ton yield of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

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• Public opinion (May 11–15 poll): 37 % of 1,507 registered voters somewhat supported additional U.S. aid to Israel; 57 % somewhat opposed.

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• Independent voters (Reuters/Ipsos): 27 % supported continued aid, 43 % opposed.

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• Perception of U.S. support (June 11–17 survey): 31 % of 3,040 adults said Israel’s Gaza actions constitute genocide; 49 % were unsure.

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• Israeli officials have framed the shipments as necessary to counter Hezbollah, which they describe as a major security threat.

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• “By any definition, what the Netanyahu government has done in Gaza is genocide,” — Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host and supporter of President Donald Trump

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No U.S. agency has formally confirmed the sale, and the State Department’s policy of not commenting on pending arms transfers leaves the exact scope and timing unverified. While a Washington Post report provided bomb counts, a senior Trump administration official declined to comment, creating a gap between reported figures and official acknowledgment.

Newsweek

Congress must be formally notified before any arms sale can proceed, per State Department policy. The timing of such notification and any subsequent legislative action remain pending.

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