The Case for Tucker 2028

The former Fox News host should run for president

What will Tucker Carlson do next? He may try to do more than media commentary–he may run for president.

Tucker will not run in 2024. That race is already Donald Trump’s to lose. The former Fox host, like most Republicans, doesn’t want to run against the former president. Only the very foolish do. 

The idea of a presidential run may have crossed Tucker’s mind, but it was not a serious consideration. Tucker hosted a cable news show that influenced millions. The show gave him tremendous power over the GOP, far more power than most elected Republicans. There is a strong case that Tucker was more powerful than any individual republican politician since Trump left office.

Now that’s gone. And it may give Tucker the time--and the need--to pursue endeavors he wouldn’t have once considered, like running for president. He no longer has to worry about giving up his Fox slot. And he no longer has the political power he may have gotten used to.

Tucker is a natural political candidate. He’s a people person, a good orator, and a charismatic personality. He would stand out among the stiffs who run for higher office.

But his political positions would make him the best possible candidate. He’s one of the few public figures to denounce mass immigration, anti-white indoctrination in business and education, hawkish foreign policy, political censorship, corporate power, and demographic replacement. He’s made millions of Americans aware of controversial subjects they would remain otherwise oblivious to. He made Republicans pay attention to these subjects. The push to ban Critical Race Theory across the country first emanated from Tucker segments. Republicans began criticizing anti-white racism because of Tucker’s influence. Tucker is the main reason why a segment of the GOP is skeptical towards Ukraine. 

Without the joint influence of Trump and Tucker, the GOP will revert to its Business First status quo. This disturbing prospect is confirmed by the lackluster stable of wannabe Trump successors. Ron DeSantis wants to play that role, but he leaves much to be desired. He says the right things on issues like immigration and CRT and has done some good things in Florida. But beneath the hollow promises, he’s a standard Republican politician. He lacks charisma and it’s also unclear how committed he is to the important issues. He showed a disturbing disregard for free speech by signing what’s effectively a hate speech law in Israel last week. DeSantis is an alright governor, but he’s not a leader who can succeed Trump. 

Other politicians who express America First ideas share DeSantis’s flaws. No one thinks Josh Hawley is a captivating leader either, despite some of the good things he stands for. The few charismatic MAGA Republicans face different problems. Kari Lake was a possible Trump successor until she lost her gubernatorial bid in Arizona. Her political future remains uncertain. While she is very charismatic and a hit with the base, her past as a Democrat casts doubt on her political reliability. The one elected official who combines charisma with a firm commitment to Trumpism is Matt Gaetz. But it will be difficult for him to climb the political ladder to the national stage as a congressman hobbled by past scandals. However, out of all lawmakers, he stands as the best possible successor to Trump.

There are plenty of Republicans who want to succeed Trump to take the GOP back to the pre-2016 party. Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, and Mike Pence all promise that in their 2024 pitches. Mitch McConnell would like nothing more than to bury Trumpism for good. Without a worthy successor to Trump, the GOP establishment could easily pivot the party back to the Paul Ryan agenda -- or even worse, a stale, performative opposition party that only makes noise to win concessions for their petty interest groups. The GOPe has the donors, institutions, and party officials to make that happen. This is why these types were thrilled with Tucker’s departure. They see the commentator as an obstacle to restoring the status quo. The establishment wants him and Trump excised from Republican politics.

It’s easy to imagine the post-Trump GOP resembling the pre-Trump GOP. If there is no Trump or Tucker figure to hold their feet to the fire, Republicans willstart championing Amnesty, stupid wars in the Middle East, unrestricted free trade, and cravenness under the disguise of civility. It’s critical there is a suitable heir to the MAGA throne. If no one replaces Trump, the establishment is well-positioned to return to business as usual. 

Based on his popularity, charisma, and commitment to nationalist issues, Tucker Carlson is the best possible option to succeed Trump.

There are a lot of reasons offered for why Tucker wouldn’t run for president. Some say he simply doesn’t want to run. That may be true now, but a lot can change in five years. 

Some may say he can’t run for president because he’s not an elected official. Neither was Trump when he became president. Some may say a journalist can’t run for president. But they forget about Pat Buchanan who, like Tucker, was a political commentator prior to announcing his bid in 1992. Buchanan of course worked for three presidents–as a speechwriter and communications guy. They were jobs similar to journalism. 

Regardless of precedents, prior experience in office is the least important qualification for any potential presidential candidate. The ability to connect with and inspire millions of people matters far more -- and is far more rare. Tucker has demonstrated that ability time and time again. 

The cable news star just needs to make sure he stays relevant for the next few years.  He won't fade into obscurity after Fox like Bill O’Reilly or Megyn Kelly before him. Carlson will almost certainly remain one of the most important conservative voices in America. He will still be able to interview prominent lawmakers. His commentary will still be newsworthy. And millions of Americans will still feel deep personal attachment to him while sharing his views. He won’t be the dominant force he was in Fox primetime, but he will still have influence. 

If the polls are correct, and Tucker is in factmore popular than Fox News, Tucker could translate that into something lasting and meaningful. Why not a presidential run?