Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative commentator, has publicly apologized for his role in promoting Donald Trump, expressing regret over the consequences of the former president’s return to office. In a podcast episode with his brother Buckley Carlson, Tucker admitted he would be “tormented for a long time” by his part in helping Trump reach the White House.
The Carlson brothers, once among Trump’s most vocal supporters, now question whether the president’s agenda has consistently aligned with his campaign promises. Tucker Carlson acknowledged that he and millions of others ignored “signs of low character” in their enthusiasm for Trump, admitting that their collective support played a role in the current political landscape.
During the discussion, the brothers raised concerns about a $250 million donation to Trump’s campaign from Miriam Adelson, questioning what the Israeli-American billionaire and her husband received in return for their substantial financial backing. Tucker Carlson also criticized Trump’s religion, describing it as “Israelism” rather than Christianity, and condemned the president’s AI-generated image portraying himself as a Jesus-like figure as a “mockery of God.”
The fallout between Carlson and Trump follows the former Fox News host’s criticism of the US-Israeli military actions in Iran, which he claims Trump initiated “on behalf of Israel.” This marks a significant shift for Carlson, who has emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent conservative critics in recent months.
Other notable figures who have distanced themselves from Trump include former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, podcaster Joe Rogan, commentator Candace Owens, and InfoWars host Alex Jones. Trump has responded to his critics with personal attacks, labeling them as “stupid people” with “low IQs” and suggesting that Carlson should “see a good psychiatrist.”
The controversy has extended beyond American borders, with Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs listing Carlson among its top ten “anti-Semite and anti-Zionist” influencers for 2025, alongside Owens and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
This public reckoning from a once-loyal Trump ally highlights the growing divisions within conservative circles and raises questions about the long-term implications of the president’s policies and rhetoric on his base of support.
