Tucker Carlson: Trump needs to be removed from office ‘immediately’

[QP!]

Not sure why the personal jab but ok. That still doesn't answer the question, how it would grow his audience. I'm not asking a rhetorical question.

There has been a clear split between MAGA wing and the America First wing, and people are trying to plan for how the post Trump alignment plays out.

While many of the magats currently cling to Trump and magat out of cult loyalty there is a belief they will not remain NeoCon war hawks and Debt lovers once Trump ACTUALLY steps down from the world stage and that is America First that will be able to pull the current magats to their side as opposed to the America Firsters going NeoCon debt lovers.

Tucker is making a bet by positioning himself as an absolute leader of America First group. Someone who can say, and prove he was that PRIOR and not just opportunistically jumping as Trump is 'now gone'.

 

[Crepitus]

As mentioned I'm not an expert on Carlson. I don't follow him and try not to listen to anything he says (although with social media that can be hard).

Here are my thoughts and I'll use a couple of examples. On this board we've seen several threads calling out #MAGA supporters for sticking with him even when his poll numbers are dropping. I post on the Rivals Mainboard which is ostensibly a football board but ends up dominated by politics and most posters are #MAGA supporters. Same deal there, no one is turning on Trump.

I would use this board and Biden as an example with the same thing. Even when his numbers started to tank, liberals on the board didn't turn on him.

That's a long way of saying yes Trump's numbers are dropping, but a larger portion of his base still supports him. (Millions of people vote for the Presidency. They aren't all ride of die #MAGA folks or on the left liberals/Democrats.)

I suspect strongly most of Carlson watchers/supporters comes from #MAGA folks/populist right. So let's say someone is right-leaning but not #MAGA or aren't that political generally but voted for Trump. They probably aren't watching Tucker to begin with and they probably aren't going to start watching him simply because he speaks out against Trump now.

So I don't know how big the populist right audience is that was pro Trump but didn't listen to Tucker, that now wants to listen to Tucker because he turned on Trump. On the flip side, how many viewers will he lose from the #MAGA base?

That's where my question is. Where is this new audience that already wasn't listening to him?

I post on USMB a notably right wing political forum and his support is dwindling even there. I have had DMs of apology from people who are afraid they will be ostracized but know now they were wrong. They say they will still be republicans but supporting tRump was an epic mistake.

 

[Crepitus]

He just another rat that's ready to jump ship.

Ya think? He still seems to be pretty solidly in the MAGA camp to me.

 

[Diogenes]

I post on USMB a notably right wing political forum and his support is dwindling even there. I have had DMs of apology from people who are afraid they will be ostracized but know now they were wrong. They say they will still be republicans but supporting tRump was an epic mistake.

Cool story.

 

[cawacko]

There has been a clear split between MAGA wing and the America First wing, and people are trying to plan for how the post Trump alignment plays out.

While many of the magats currently cling to Trump and magat out of cult loyalty there is a belief they will not remain NeoCon war hawks and Debt lovers once Trump ACTUALLY steps down from the world stage and that is America First that will be able to pull the current magats to their side as opposed to the America Firsters going NeoCon debt lovers.

Tucker is making a bet by positioning himself as an absolute leader of America First group. Someone who can say, and prove he was that PRIOR and not just opportunistically jumping as Trump is 'now gone'.

I appreciate the response because you're at least attempting to answer the question.

Here's where my pushback is. If you're already #MAGA/America First there's a decent chance you listen to Tucker already. It was stated he's simply following the money, but where is this new audience coming from?

Is there this massive untapped America First market that will flock to Tucker in the future?

 

[cawacko]

I post on USMB a notably right wing political forum and his support is dwindling even there. I have had DMs of apology from people who are afraid they will be ostracized but know now they were wrong. They say they will still be republicans but supporting tRump was an epic mistake.

I'll take your word for it but I highly doubt #MAGA/America First people are privately reaching out to liberals to say that. #MAGA/America First people may be pissed at certain things Trump is doing, but they're not taking those complaints to liberals.

And center-right Republicans who aren't happy with Trump aren't turning to Tucker Carlson.

So it still doesn't answer where Carlson's future audience is coming from.

 

[archives]

Even Tucker Carlson: can see that we are being governed by insanity.

Conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson said Friday that President Trump should be removed from office if he is considering using nuclear weapons first, saying even entertaining the possibility should disqualify a president from serving.

“The second any president actively considers the first use of nuclear weapons, that person should be removed from office immediately, because that’s got to be the red line, destroying all of humanity with a nuclear strike,” Carlson said.

Carlson’s comments come as he raised concerns about both the administration’s approach to Iran and a nuclear strategy being developed at the Pentagon.

https://thehill.com/media/6059334-carlson-says-trump-should-be-removed/

And if it benefits him, Tucker will tomorrow say Trump is the greatest President ever, he’s a pimp, whatever makes him a buck is what determines his direction

 

[Diogenes]

And if it benefits him, Tucker will tomorrow say Trump is the greatest President ever, he’s a pimp, whatever makes him a buck is what determines his direction

Think so, Anchovies?

 

[Crepitus]

I'll take your word for it but I highly doubt #MAGA/America First people are privately reaching out to liberals to say that. #MAGA/America First people may be pissed at certain things Trump is doing, but they're not taking those complaints to liberals.

And center-right Republicans who aren't happy with Trump aren't turning to Tucker Carlson.

So it still doesn't answer where Carlson's future audience is coming from.

I do not require your belief.

<shrug>

 

[archives]

I appreciate the response because you're at least attempting to answer the question.

Here's where my pushback is. If you're already #MAGA/America First there's a decent chance you listen to Tucker already. It was stated he's simply following the money, but where is this new audience coming from?

Is there this massive untapped America First market that will flock to Tucker in the future?

Massive, probably not, but enough to separate him from the other Maga podcasters reflecting some doubt on the Administration. When complemented with his right leaning foreign audience I’m sure the move is calculated

And I see where USC took a lot of social media hits for their poorly attended home opener

USC Becomes the Laughing Stock of College Football After Week 0 Game

Week 0 of the 2026 college football season sent NBC's cameras into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. The broadcast found rows of empty red seats in

www.si.com

 

[QP!]

I appreciate the response because you're at least attempting to answer the question.

Here's where my pushback is. If you're already #MAGA/America First there's a decent chance you listen to Tucker already.

Yes other than the really hardcore magats who turn on anyone the instant Trump turns on them. I would guesstimate Tucker lost about 30% of his prior magat audience to them. We see many of them on this website who now label Tucker as a RINO and much worse as they do with Marjorie Greene.

It was stated he's simply following the money, but where is this new audience coming from?

I do not see it as a "new audience".

If you look forward to a post Trump right and see it being terrible fractured with all sorts of fighting between the Magat NeoCon side and the America First side as they try to re-establish the party unity REQUIRED for it have a winning coalition again, you can take 3 approaches:

- bet on being able to keep a coalition of separate but somewhat equal groups together and voting in BOTH the Magat NeoCons and the America Firsters (i think this is the second chance of success courting a 'anything by Dems' vote to rise up)

- bet on Magat NeoCon's emerging as the post Trump identity and winners and that America Firsters will move that way and fall in line (last of 3 options and very REMOTE to win, imo)

- bet on America Firsters to be able to AGAIN establish itself as the dominate brand and that without Trump demanding adherence the cultist Magats Neocon, will again switch to anti-war and fall in line. This is the TOP choice IMO, and one that i do not think is hard, if Trump sunsets and lets hit magats NeoCon go.

Tucker is betting on bullet 3 and does not see him self as just a Johnny-come-lately FORCED to rebrand to America First along with all the sheep who ONLY follow Trump off the stage and then look for the next gig.

Tucker is establishing himself to be able to say "i lead the America First revival... i never left it... i am legit"

And whether he wants to run in right politics or just be a king maker who regains back the full 'right' audience is what we do not yet know. I suspect the latter.

Is there this massive untapped America First market that will flock to Tucker in the future?

My guess is YES.

Beyond that i would say ABSOLUTELY YES.

I see no other identity for the right coalition, post Trump. I think NeoConism will fail fast and miserably without him and only an America First based on more 'isolationist', 'anti-trade', 'anti-other', 'white Nationalism', will emerge that can unite most the winning coalition Trump was able to pull together.

I honestly see no other path for the right. They CANNOT, IMO, return to the Reagan type 'free trade', 'path to citizenship' more centrist messaging.

 

[Diogenes]

I do not require your belief. <shrug>

Yet here you are.

 

[Diogenes]

I see where USC took a lot of social media hits for their poorly attended home opener

Poor Anchovies. You follow social media?

 

[cawacko]

Massive, probably not, but enough to separate him from the other Maga podcasters reflecting some doubt on the Administration. When complemented with his right leaning foreign audience I’m sure the move is calculated

And I see where USC took a lot of social media hits for their poorly attended home opener

USC Becomes the Laughing Stock of College Football After Week 0 Game

Week 0 of the 2026 college football season sent NBC's cameras into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. The broadcast found rows of empty red seats in

www.si.com

The guy got kicked off Fox Freaking News. Have you seen some of the guests he's had on his show since then? The guy already separates himself.
I don't like the guy at all. I can't stand him. So I'm not here defending him but these 'he's following the money' is just a facile answer to me. And the claim that Trump's approval ratings are dropping means all those former voters are now going to become Tucker Carlson followers doesn't hold a lot of water.

 

[QP!]

I'll take your word for it but I highly doubt #MAGA/America First people are privately reaching out to liberals to say that. #MAGA/America First people may be pissed at certain things Trump is doing, but they're not taking those complaints to liberals.

And center-right Republicans who aren't happy with Trump aren't turning to Tucker Carlson.

So it still doesn't answer where Carlson's future audience is coming from.

I think this...
"...And center-right Republicans who aren't happy with Trump aren't turning to Tucker Carlson. ..."
...is the entire ball game and bet Tucker is making, imo.

That the Main stream Maga base, in a post Trump retirement, world will mostly all move to the 'reluctant Right' and perhaps a new 'enthusiastic right'.

He is betting on the war and pain caused by Tariffs driving those people further and further into despair, even as their cult loyalty remains, but once the Trump cult loyalty subsides, as he leaves the world stage, they will run like crazy from nearly ALL the magat NeoCon positions.

I happen to think he is correct on that bet.

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Following his 2026 public break with Donald Trump and the mainstream MAGA movement over foreign policy—specifically his fierce, non-interventionist opposition to the U.S. war with Iran—Tucker Carlson’s audience has shrunk significantly among the establishment MAGA right, grown among a specific "reluctant" right-wing and younger demographic, and remained functionally nonexistent on the political left. [1, 2]
A detailed breakdown of how his audience shifts vary across the political spectrum illustrates this dynamic:

The Right: Severe Mainstream Shrunk, Niche Growth

• • The Mainstream MAGA Base (Shrunk): Carlson's personal favorability ratings among traditional Republicans plummeted. According to polling by UMass-Lowell, his favorability among Republicans dropped to 31% (down from a massive 63% in late 2025) after Trump publicly stated Carlson had "lost his way" and was no longer part of MAGA. Data from The New York Times shows a sharp broader decline in standard pro-Trump media traffic as a result of these intra-party feuds. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • The "Reluctant Right" and Anti-War Faction (Grown): While losing the mainstream base, Carlson has consolidated a massive, highly specific audience of non-interventionist conservatives, anti-woke independents, and the "Reluctant Right" who are souring on Trump's foreign policy. In this specific sub-segment, Carlson actually holds a substantial net favorability lead (+10%) over Donald Trump (-30%). [1, 2, 3]
  • Gen Z & Digital Audiences (Grown): Stripping away legacy cable guardrails has allowed Carlson to capture a much younger digital demographic. Driven heavily by independent coverage of the Iran conflict, the Tucker Carlson Network (TCN) reported billions of aggregate social media views, leaning heavily on Gen Z consumers who are bypassing legacy media altogether. [1]

Centrists: Shrunk

• • Isolation from the Center: Carlson's post-Fox trajectory has pulled him further away from the political center. General public polling shows his overall national favorability at a dismal 17%, with 38% viewing him unfavorably. Centrists and moderate independents have largely been alienated by his embrace of highly polarizing internet figures and alternative platforms, viewing his independent media ecosystem more as a sensational spectacle than a standard political outlet. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Left: Stagnant (No Growth)

• • Sustained Rejection: Carlson’s audience on the left has experienced zero meaningful growth. While his primetime Fox News show occasionally attracted liberal "hate-watchers," his shift to decentralized online ecosystems means viewers must actively seek out his content behind paywalls or specific algorithms. Mainstream left-wing audiences overwhelmingly view him unfavorably due to his historic platforming of conspiracy theories. [1, 2, 3]

 

[cawacko]

Massive, probably not, but enough to separate him from the other Maga podcasters reflecting some doubt on the Administration. When complemented with his right leaning foreign audience I’m sure the move is calculated

And I see where USC took a lot of social media hits for their poorly attended home opener

USC Becomes the Laughing Stock of College Football After Week 0 Game

Week 0 of the 2026 college football season sent NBC's cameras into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. The broadcast found rows of empty red seats in

www.si.com

Yeah, we haven't made the playoffs yet under Lincoln, we're playing San Jose St and it was like 100 degrees and humid. A lot of people were like F that, I"m not going. And even a fair number of did tried to watch the game from tunnel to stay out of the direct sunlight so their seats were empty.

But yeah, not a good look.

 

[Diogenes]

The guy got kicked off Fox Freaking News. Have you seen some of the guests he's had on his show since then? The guy already separates himself.
I don't like the guy at all. I can't stand him. So I'm not here defending him but these 'he's following the money' is just a facile answer to me. And the claim that Trump's approval ratings are dropping means all those former voters are now going to become Tucker Carlson followers doesn't hold a lot of water.

Were you expecting rational relies on JPP?

 

[cawacko]

Yes other than the really hardcore magats who turn on anyone the instant Trump turns on them. I would guesstimate Tucker lost about 30% of his prior magat audience to them. We see many of them on this website who now label Tucker as a RINO and much worse as they do with Marjorie Greene.


I do not see it as a "new audience".

If you look forward to a post Trump right and see it being terrible fractured with all sorts of fighting between the Magat NeoCon side and the America First side as they try to re-establish the party unity REQUIRED for it have a winning coalition again, you can take 3 approaches:

- bet on being able to keep a coalition of separate but somewhat equal groups together and voting in BOTH the Magat NeoCons and the America Firsters (i think this is the second chance of success courting a 'anything by Dems' vote to rise up)

- bet on Magat NeoCon's emerging as the post Trump identity and winners and that America Firsters will move that way and fall in line (last of 3 options and very REMOTE to win, imo)

- bet on America Firsters to be able to AGAIN establish itself as the dominate brand and that without Trump demanding adherence the cultist Magats Neocon, will again switch to anti-war and fall in line. This is the TOP choice IMO, and one that i do not think is hard, if Trump sunsets and lets hit magats NeoCon go.

Tucker is betting on bullet 3 and does not see him self as just a Johnny-come-lately FORCED to rebrand to America First along with all the sheep who ONLY follow Trump off the stage and then look for the next gig.

Tucker is establishing himself to be able to say "i lead the America First revival... i never left it... i am legit"

And whether he wants to run in right politics or just be a king maker who regains back the full 'right' audience is what we do not yet know. I suspect the latter.



My guess is YES.

Beyond that i would say ABSOLUTELY YES.

I see no other identity for the right coalition, post Trump. I think NeoConism will fail fast and miserably without him and only an America First based on more 'isolationist', 'anti-trade', 'anti-other', 'white Nationalism', will emerge that can unite most the winning coalition Trump was able to pull together.

I honestly see no other path for the right. They CANNOT, IMO, return to the Reagan type 'free trade', 'path to citizenship' more centrist messaging.

I'm still really struggling here. The original claim that I responded to said Tucker is doing this to follow the money. But you're saying he could be losing 30% of his audience by his actions here. And if I'm understanding you correctly you're saying he could gain them back in the future, but that doesn't really seem like the way I picture someone following the money or increasing their audience.

In business people/companies certainly do take short term losses while playing the long game. But those saying follow the money here aren't making that argument.

 

[QP!]

I'm still really struggling here.

I think, and i am being serious and not trying to be mean, that is because you WANT to believe Tucker made a mistake abandoning and turning on Trump and so accepting this is 'smart', or even a 'good gamble' is something you really cannot get to.

The original claim that I responded to said Tucker is doing this to follow the money.

That is too simplistic a claim so i would not fully agree with it but i maintain, in a post Trump world, it absolutely could pay off for Tucker beyond any "influencer" who is a 'Johnny Come Lately-Now i am a America First Too person', who wants to pull the switch later while riding the current Trump cult to its bitter end.

But you're saying he could be losing 30% of his audience by his actions here.

Yes.

And if I'm understanding you correctly you're saying he could gain them back in the future, but that doesn't really seem like the way I picture someone following the money or increasing their audience.

Agreed. Unless he foresees something you do not that i detail above. is it a gamble or bet, YES.

In business people/companies certainly do take short term losses while playing the long game. But those saying follow the money here aren't making that argument.

Ya that is too simplistic.

Tucker, Steve Bannon and Jd Vance, will likely try to emerge as 3 of the Top Voices in a post Trump, America First world. They will face off against the Marco Rubio NeoCon wing who will try to maintain the coalition in the post Trump world.

If you see their play as beyond just cash and for power, this move is a bet (the only bet imo) that makes sense.

 

[cawacko]

I think this...
"...And center-right Republicans who aren't happy with Trump aren't turning to Tucker Carlson. ..."
...is the entire ball game and bet Tucker is making, imo.

That the Main stream Maga base, in a post Trump retirement, world will mostly all move to the 'reluctant Right' and perhaps a new 'enthusiastic right'.

He is betting on the war and pain caused by Tariffs driving those people further and further into despair, even as their cult loyalty remains, but once the Trump cult loyalty subsides, as he leaves the world stage, they will run like crazy from nearly ALL the magat NeoCon positions.

I happen to think he is correct on that bet.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.


------------

Following his 2026 public break with Donald Trump and the mainstream MAGA movement over foreign policy—specifically his fierce, non-interventionist opposition to the U.S. war with Iran—Tucker Carlson’s audience has shrunk significantly among the establishment MAGA right, grown among a specific "reluctant" right-wing and younger demographic, and remained functionally nonexistent on the political left. [1, 2]
A detailed breakdown of how his audience shifts vary across the political spectrum illustrates this dynamic:

The Right: Severe Mainstream Shrunk, Niche Growth

• • The Mainstream MAGA Base (Shrunk): Carlson's personal favorability ratings among traditional Republicans plummeted. According to polling by UMass-Lowell, his favorability among Republicans dropped to 31% (down from a massive 63% in late 2025) after Trump publicly stated Carlson had "lost his way" and was no longer part of MAGA. Data from The New York Times shows a sharp broader decline in standard pro-Trump media traffic as a result of these intra-party feuds. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • The "Reluctant Right" and Anti-War Faction (Grown): While losing the mainstream base, Carlson has consolidated a massive, highly specific audience of non-interventionist conservatives, anti-woke independents, and the "Reluctant Right" who are souring on Trump's foreign policy. In this specific sub-segment, Carlson actually holds a substantial net favorability lead (+10%) over Donald Trump (-30%). [1, 2, 3]
  • Gen Z & Digital Audiences (Grown): Stripping away legacy cable guardrails has allowed Carlson to capture a much younger digital demographic. Driven heavily by independent coverage of the Iran conflict, the Tucker Carlson Network (TCN) reported billions of aggregate social media views, leaning heavily on Gen Z consumers who are bypassing legacy media altogether. [1]

Centrists: Shrunk

• • Isolation from the Center: Carlson's post-Fox trajectory has pulled him further away from the political center. General public polling shows his overall national favorability at a dismal 17%, with 38% viewing him unfavorably. Centrists and moderate independents have largely been alienated by his embrace of highly polarizing internet figures and alternative platforms, viewing his independent media ecosystem more as a sensational spectacle than a standard political outlet. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Left: Stagnant (No Growth)

• • Sustained Rejection: Carlson’s audience on the left has experienced zero meaningful growth. While his primetime Fox News show occasionally attracted liberal "hate-watchers," his shift to decentralized online ecosystems means viewers must actively seek out his content behind paywalls or specific algorithms. Mainstream left-wing audiences overwhelmingly view him unfavorably due to his historic platforming of conspiracy theories. [1, 2, 3]

I suppose this comes down to how one wants to define follow the money. Is a business strategy that says I'm going to lose 30% of my current audience with the hope that in the future my audience is going to be much larger than that, simply following the money?