Conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson has described former President Donald Trump as "enslaved" and advocated for the creation of a third political party in the United States.
In an interview with the Columbia Journalism Review published Wednesday, Carlson stated he was not interested in speaking with Trump following the start of the Iran war, which Carlson has opposed. "I feel sorry for him," Carlson said. "He's not a man in charge of his own life at this point. I feel sorry for anybody who's enslaved, including him."
Carlson has consistently argued that Israel was the primary driver behind U.S. actions in Iran, asserting as early as March 2 that "this is Israel's war. This is not the United States's war."
Carlson also reiterated his belief that the U.S. requires a third political party, characterizing the current system as "a one-party state posing as a democracy." He declared his intention to "help build a third party," emphasizing that "the US government should have, as its first priority, the welfare of its own people."
Historically, third-party candidates have faced significant challenges in national elections. Ross Perot's 1992 campaign, which secured nearly 20 percent of the popular vote, did not win any Electoral College states, finishing third behind Bill Clinton and incumbent George H.W. Bush.
These recent remarks follow Carlson's declaration on the "Can't Be Censored" podcast two weeks prior that he was "out" of the Republican Party. He had also referred to Trump as enslaved in that interview.
Carlson had previously supported Trump's 2024 reelection campaign, calling him a "wonderful person" at the Republican National Convention. However, his stance has shifted since then. In April, Carlson apologized to his audience for what he called his "erroneous endorsement" of the president.
In response to criticism from some right-wing personalities, including Carlson, Trump posted on Truth Social in April, calling them "LOSERS" with "Low IQs."
The Tucker Carlson Network has not yet responded to requests for comment.