During a recent interview with sports and political commentator Stephen A. Smith, podcaster Tucker Carlson acknowledged his past support for former President Donald Trump, stating he was "wrong on Trump." This admission comes as Carlson has been vocal about his shifting views on the Trump administration.
Carlson's comments were made in response to Smith's question about why listeners should view his latest departure from the Republican Party as a matter of principle rather than another pivot in his views. Carlson acknowledged that he has made many changes in his stance and that he was wrong on several occasions.
Carlson's criticism of Trump has evolved over time, with him becoming increasingly critical of the former president's handling of the U.S. conflict with Iran. He stated that Trump's actions took the conflict "quantum levels crazier and more destructive to the U.S."
Carlson expressed his concerns about the war, saying that he had talked to people who work at the White House and the Pentagon about how to get out of it, but they had no idea how to proceed. He also stated that he was worried about the war's impact on the country.
Carlson's views on Trump have changed significantly over time, with him initially seeing the former president as an outsider who was a challenge to the Republican Party. However, this view changed after Trump was almost fatally shot during a campaign rally in 2024, leading to a 180-degree shift in Carlson's perception of the president.
Carlson acknowledged that he was implicated in supporting Trump during the 2024 election, and expressed regret for misleading people about the president's character. He also stated that he believed Trump showed signs of "low character."
