Tucker Carlson for president?

This past weekend Tucker Carlson gave the keynote address at the Heritage Foundation’s Fiftieth Anniversary Summit and Gala. His speech wasn’t about his show on Fox, or the media or the industry itself. It was steeped in the political and cultural themes the country is headed for ahead of the 2024 election.  

Carlson aptly set the table of topics for politicians to pick up, from the current debate around gender and Critical Race Theory. He highlighted key issues where conservative leaders should be responding, such as Greg Abbott recently in Texas as he works to pardon Daniel Perry for his role in the shooting of a BLM protester.  

Tucker has served as a sort of kingmaker for American conservatives and Republican politicians in recent years. But what would happen if Tucker decided that he himself is the king now? What if Tucker acted on a long-held fringe rumor that he might actually jump into the 2024 GOP primary, upending any expectations of a two-man race between former president Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis? 

Carlson’s sudden departure from Fox will no doubt kick the speculators and pollsters into action. His name, whether he intends for it to be or not, will likely begin to appear in polling.