In case you haven’t followed what Tucker Carlson’s been saying lately (and I can understand it if you haven’t), he seems to be heartily endorsing El-Sayed
And for anyone who has paid attention to him, that should not be a surprise.
Nor am I exaggerating; take a look:
Tucker Carlson has unexpectedly praised Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, calling his platform “literally Trumpian” and saying he would not vote for his GOP rival Mike Rogers “at gunpoint.”
The right-wing broadcaster hosted podcaster Saagar Enjeti on his self-titled show, in the course of which the duo discussed the race between El-Sayed and Rogers, noting that while the former had started out as a “full-blown leftist,” he had undergone an “ideological evolution.”
“I watch his campaign now, it’s America First,” Enjeti said. “When he talks about Israel, he says, ‘Israel is committing a genocide, but ultimately I want to make sure that you don’t pay more for healthcare.
“‘I don’t want your tax dollars going abroad to fund this barbaric military.’ He stands in front of a giant American flag. It’s almost Trumpian in terms of a lot of those problems.”
“Well, it is literally Trumpian,” Carlson agreed, with both men going on to predict that the progressive former public health official was likely to beat Rogers in November.
I take issue with the word “unexpectedly” in the first sentence of that quote. Nothing could be less unexpected.
I also take issue with the phrase “right-wing” that begins the second paragraph of that quote. Tucker isn’t on the conventional right and it’s not clear where to categorize him, except that if anyone is against Israel and Jews, he’s for them.
And of course El-Sayed’s “ideological evolution” from “full-blown leftist” is because he now has to pretend to tack a tiny bit to the middle in order to try to win the election in Michigan.
The idea that El-Sayed is “literally Trumpian” would be comical if it weren’t so unhinged. But I’m not of the opinion that Tucker is actually unhinged. I think he knows exactly what he’s doing, and is giving free rein to ideas and impulses he’s had for a long long time. One motive is to split the GOP and try to take over the wreckage. He doesn’t have to cater to Fox News or anyone else now; he’s free to speak his mind. I’ve already written many many pieces about Tucker, so I won’t go into what I see as his “ideological evolution,” except to refer you especially to this post and this, as well as this one.
ADDENDUM: I originally was thinking of writing a separate post on this article in Tablet about J. D. Vance’s recent address to the Republican Jewish Coalition this past Tuesday. I may still write about it separately. But for now I’ll just link to it here, because it’s relevant to the ongoing discussion of why Vance has refused to criticize Tucker Carlson at all – not just refuse to “denounce” him, by the way, but refuse to be specific about whatever disagreements he might have with him. I wonder whether Tucker’s words on El-Sayed and Rogers would be enough to get Vance to say something; I tend to doubt it, but it’s certainly possible.
The Tablet piece I just linked is well worth reading, in order to see what Vance is saying about Israel and related topics. It’s considerably worse than I had originally thought; I wasn’t aware of some of the Vance quotes discussed in that piece.
Tucker who?
El-Sayed is to Trumpian as Jews are to genocide.
J.D. Vance is doing today’s White House press briefing. He was asked about Tucker Carlson. He said he disagrees with Carlson on many political issues; however, Tucker has been a friend for many years, and he doesn’t like the new trend of denouncing one’s friends because of political disagreements.
This is similar to my feeling about my Left Coast family. I disagree with them on practically any political subject, but they are my family. I love them, and I don’t want to cut them off because I think they are uninformed and biased about politics.
Vance has made strong statements against El Sayed’s candidacy. He’s doing it now on TV. Carlson has just endorsed the Islamist.
And I agree that calling Carlson “right wing” these days is no longer accurate.
Does Vance consider Tucker family? That would be about as nutty as Tucker.
I’m in no rush to be anti-JD. I think Kate made a good comment a few posts ago about it, and I’m sympathetic to what she had to say. That said, with this endorsement, given that El-Sayed is an avowed enemy of the Republican party and JD’s boss, this is a spectacular opportunity for him to clarify his thoughts on the matter. I sincerely hope he rises to the occasion.
Practically speaking, though, Vance is paying a price for his friendship with Carlson in terms of political support.
A price likely to increase as Tucker heads further into his anti-Israeli, pro-Muslim positions and claiming they are Trumpian.
Vance is a MAGA politician with presidential ambitions. He will have to square that circle somehow or suffer the consequences.
I know I don’t see Vance as I did before and I’m now skeptical of him as President.
Kate; Mike Plaiss:
Tucker is not a private person, unlike your family. Nor is Vance, for that matter. And Tucker is also not Vance’s family, either What Tucker is saying is pernicious, destructive, and in the public arena as part of his public political life. There comes a time when citing loyalty in a situation like that is a total misjudgment. It is not appropriate under those particular circumstances. Vance is showing that he puts personal loyalty (to someone doing evil) above his duty as VP.
I don’t know why Tqur has gone to the Dark Side. Spells, Demon positive, friends turning him over, no idea.
Skip:
If you haven’t read the three links I put in the ADDENDUM, you might want to read them. They might shed some light on the subject.
One might say that El-Sayed is indeed “Trumpian” in that just as Trump has been devoting all his energy, initiative, time and talent to Make America Great Again (though some would say, “to SAVE THE COUNTRY”), El-Sayed is devoting all HIS energy, initiative, time and talent into destroying it.
(Same basic thing, right?…)
Moreover, one might just say (according to such scintillating Tuckerian logic) that Hitler was, in fact, “Churchillian” (or that Churchill was “Hitlerian”)…except that in Tucker-Speak, Churchill was far, far worse(!).
Whatever.
It’s just Carlson going deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole….
(Yes, it’s possible…apparently.)
Many here seem to want Vance to go on TV or X and say, “Tucker Carlson is now EVIL and I won’t have anything more to do with him, personally or professionally.”
All I ask for is continued, apparently sincere, expressions of disagreement or disapproval of the political and intellectual positions Carlson has been recently espousing. I agree Vance needs watching, and I am watching. His statements when he was involved in the bogus Iranian negotiations were of concern. His support for administration policies since has been vocal and firm.
It may even be that Vance, a practicing Catholic, is praying for his friend’s mental and spiritual health.
Kate:
What I need from Vance at this point is a statement from him along the lines:
_____________________________
I am Vice-President of the United States under President Donald Trump. I renounce the current positions Tucker Carlson espouses which I believe oppose the United States and the Trump administration.
As such I am ceasing my relationship with Carlson until he changes his positions or I no longer represent President Trump, the Republican Party or the MAGA movement.
_____________________________
Vance’s position on Carlson as a friend who is mistaken conveys weakness in a dangerous time.
Kate:
Well, that’s certainly not what I have said I want from Vance. I’m not sure anyone else has said it here, either, but it’s certainly possible that someone did say it and I missed it.
What I have said I want, and what I still want, is for Vance to say a few actual points (or even one, specifically) on which he disagrees with and criticizes Tucker Carlson for saying them. He doesn’t have to break off the relationship as far as I’m concerned. I think one can criticize a friend who is saying terrible and false things. Of course, the friend might break off the relationship as a result. But is Vance so cowardly he’d let that stop him from taking a stand and critiquing what needs to be criticized?
”Many here seem to want Vance to go on TV or X and say, ‘Tucker Carlson is now EVIL and I won’t have anything more to do with him, personally or professionally.’”
I don’t know that anyone here wants that. I certainly don’t. But he could easily go on TV or X and say, “Tucker is my friend, but he is wrong about A, B, and C, and here is my opinion on these issues.” You know, hate the sin but not the sinner.
But it seems like he considers that to be disloyalty, and that’s a problem. Loyalty to a friend should not override his duty as an elected official to clearly address matters of state. And the issues surrounding the wars in Ukraine, Iran, and the Levant are all important matters of state.
mkent:
Precisely.
mkent:
Absolutely, unequivocally.
Has Vance forgotten so easily what El what’s his face, Tuckers bestie, has said about Usha, his children, and his PaPaw?
Time is long past to cut the ties to Tucker, JDV.
What was it that E. M. Forster said about loyalty to friends vs. loyalty to country?
(OTOH, maybe Vance really does NOT want to get embroiled in this—distraction(?)—and is “merely” waiting for Carlson to dig his own grave…or otherwise self-destruct, PERHAPS even taking the TC-crowd with him; though some might say that Carlson’s either already done this or is well on his way.)
Now that Tucker has gone full Jennifer Rubin, I hope he soon disappears like she did.
How long before the JD and Tucker Brokeback Mtn. memes?
Suggest a precedent: Jeffrey Hart ca. 2004. Hart disappeared from public discourse around 2011 and died in 2019. His family admitted on his death that he’d been disappearing into dementia.
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The most recent dementia case in our families died in 2025. He’d been in a nursing home for two years, in assisted living for two years prior. He’d had an occupational license which had been suspended by the state government three years prior to that. Three years prior to that, out of town relatives visiting began to notice his short term memory was shot (among other peculiarities). Betwixt and between, he’d agreed to appoint two of his wife’s children as power of attorney. One was assigned medical decisions, the other financial decisions. The latter sorting through his business records and tax records concluded tentatively that it must have been around 2008 that his memory and judgement began to deteriorate at pace more rapid than that of his peers. He was, at that time, 58 years old. Tuq’r Carlson is 57.
I long ago stopped thinking and reading about Tucker….now with Vance not repudiating him, loses my vote. I also think that Cruz now sees an opening for himself with Vance going wobbly. Rubio hasn’t given off any vibes he may be running.
physicsguy, I agree, JD has lost my vote. He can say “He is my friend, but” is not enough for me. To me it shows a lack of understanding of how serious this is. Maybe even a lack of character.
I am hoping Rubio starts making noises about running. I think Cruz has too much baggage. Also, it will be brought up that he was born in Canada. (Note: I believe that he is definitely a US Citizen and qualified as such to be President)
I don’t follow Carlson closely. I have seen outrageous clips only. Based on those, I don’t see any signs of short-term memory loss. Demonic possession, maybe.
@SHIREHOME : [Vance] can say “[Tucker] is my friend, but” is not enough for me. To me it shows a lack of understanding of how serious this is.
__________________________________
That’s where I land.
Vance has a friendship with Tucker. Fine. But he also has a relationship with and loyalty to Americans, especially to Trump and MAGA voters.
__________________________________
Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one and leave the other behind
It’s not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?
— Lovin’ Spoonful, “Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind” (Summer 1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cEFh9zurug
__________________________________
If John Sebastian could do it… 🙂
Have to T’qur has always been on way past my bedtime.
As for now Rubio would be my pick
Tucker must have always been at least a latent antisemite. I find it impossible to believe that this virulent Jew hatred just overtook him one day. Lucky for Tucker, the culture has devolved to the point where he no longer needs to hide his true feelings. As for Vance, he is a public persona and, I’m sorry (not sorry), he doesn’t get to keep friends who think his boss should be tried for war crimes. Even Obama had the sense to shun Jeremiah Wright (or pretend to).
My pick for 2028 is Ron DeSantis. He is by far best governor in the United States. He is a good and inspiring leader, and under his leadership has transformed Florida from a swing state to solidly Republican.
I liked Tucker a few years, but he’s been crazy for a while and I stopped following his crazy talk.
Sadly, I like JD a lot, but he’ll need to clarify more on his Israel positions.
Sadly, the Tablet article did a bit of quoting Vance, and some of Carlson, and some of others who tell us what JD said, but not quite in his words.
Who said this?
>>”It’s the root idea, just saying, behind what’s happening in Gaza right now, where it’s like We’re going to kill the kids too. We don’t care.”
<<
It wasn't JD.
But the real serious issue is not Vance & Carlson, it's how will Israel live with, next to, the Gazans who hate them?
Just as I don't complain about Trump's words, some of which I find more humorous than outrageous (yay for Lake America! Ask your birthing person caregiver what she thinks), I look at the policy. What is really happening in Gaza, & who is responsible?
Until Israel has peace with its neighbors, which Trump seems to be getting closer to than all other combined presidents, how much Trump is doing Israel's bidding remains a controversial subject.
The Nov elections come before JD has to denounce Tucker, tho he'll look weak as Tucker gets more outrageous without condemnation. I'd rather have a JD with good policy without denouncing Tucker, over a JD that denounces Tucker but has bad policies. What are the right policies?
Also reports need to be clear quotes by JD which are problematic in what JD does say, more than in what his words don't (yet?) say.
(In Slovakia, there's a lot of support for Russia, as well as for Ukraine, with a former Christian Democrat PM openly supporting a lot of what Putin does. The PM I was working for in '91-92. He's wrong on Putin; still a friend.)
As long as he keeps saying outrageous, controversial things, people keep writing about him.
As long as people keep writing about him, he’s getting attention.
As long as he’s getting attention, he still feels relevant and can convert that attention into clicks, views and cash.
When’s the last time you heard anything about Bill O’reilly? Shepard Smith? Neil Cavuto?
They’re still around, they just don’t say outrageously controversial things so they’re not in the national conversation.
Tucker knows what he’s doing.
When’s the last time you heard anything about Bill O’reilly? Shepard Smith? Neil Cavuto? They’re still around,
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In age, they are 74, 62, and 67 respectively. None of them are currently employed in broadcasting. O’Reilly is currently podcasting. AFAICT, neither Smith nor Cavuto have a podcast, a Substack, a Blog, or an active presence on X. Cavuto has multiple sclerosis.
“El-Sayed is to Trumpian as Jews are to genocide.” Good one Huxley!
I can’t wait for Carlson to renounce his alleged “Christianity” in favor of islam and start donning a keffiyah to show his support for “palestine.” I suspect he’ll be doing that if his preferred candidates take over the majority in House and Senate.
Tucker who? is right. Who is this gosh all shucks hick from the ivy league? And what does he know other than how to line his own pockets. A friend of Hunter.
Sailorcurt:
I disagree. People are writing about him because he’s already getting plenty of attention. Also because he has long been well-known and is unfortunately influential. Many of his followers are bots and people in Arab countries, of course, but I think many of them are Americans who have long been of what I call the Buchanan wing. Whether or not I or any other critic write about him does not affect his popularity much if at all. I think people need to be aware of the poison he spews out.
Trump has expressed disapproval of Tucker.
Tucker says El-Sayed’s speech was “literally Trumpian.”
Therefore:
If Trump is good, El-Sayed is good.
If Trump is bad, El-Sayed is bad.
= = = = = = = =
I’m not anticipating a mass Tuckerite movement. Who would it entail, people who like neither MAGA, RINOs, nor the Democrat-Communist-Fascist-Globalist party?
Used to watch Tucker when his schtick was to invite a liberal on to the show and let the guy talk himself into knots. Why has he been important since then? He has a megaphone but, metaphor alert, like other public megaphones, it’s powered by attention.
Why did he turn into a nutcase? Might be interested in thinking about it on a rainy afternoon when…..can’t think of an circumstance. His value is to the slushy republicans to hang on the right although the right doesn’t want him.
WHAT ABOUT TUCKER, HUH? HUH?
Who?
I’ve lost friends over politics. Two cut me off because I wasn’ta true believer in Tump going to jail on account of Russiagate. One, a woman for whom my wife and I have done a lot including physical labor in difficult circumstances, cut me off because I don’t hate Trump with unreasoning ferocity. Somebody pranked her into listing terrible things Trump has done, listing it on FB. It was all stuff the Biden admin had done. She bought it,
Cutting off friends is a Big Deal, unless the friend in question finds it a relief, I suppose. Vance need only say what his positions are on various issues and decline to argue about what Tucker says.
“People are writing about him because he’s already getting plenty of attention. Also because he has long been well-known and is unfortunately influential.”
Fair point, but not being on a national outlet and striking out on his own, his recipe for maintaining that attention level and status as “well known” and “influential” rests on stirring up controversy to keep himself in the limelight.
I could be wrong. He could be actively in the midst of some sort of mental health crisis and is legitimately off his nut. Or it could be that he’s always been a few fries short of a happy meal and has just stopped bothering to hide it.
It just seems to me that someone that out of touch with reality would have a very difficult time pretending to be…ok, Carlson’s never really been “normal”…let’s just say “not a whack job”. It seems more likely to me that this is just him desperately ginning up controversy to maintain whatever notoriety he has left.
Salorcurt:
Tucker Carlson and algebra skilz:
https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=Tucker+Carlson+algebra