In a recent series of statements, prominent conservative media personality Tucker Carlson expressed his reluctance to consider a vice-presidential nomination. Former First Lady Melania Trump reportedly suggested Carlson as a potential vice-presidential candidate for her husband, former President Donald Trump.
“God would have to yell at me very loud,” Tucker Carlson says at APP gala when asked about speculation that he’d join the ticket as VP with Trump. Being around politicians constantly, he adds, “is so repulsive to me.”
— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) December 8, 2023
Speaking at a weekend event, Carlson humorously remarked on the improbability of transitioning from his current role to a political one, describing the idea as difficult to imagine. He indicated that a divine intervention would be necessary for him to contemplate a political career, adding that he finds being in the company of politicians extremely unappealing.
An Axios report revealed that Melania Trump had proposed Carlson as a running mate for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. However, the report also mentioned that the former president was considering other candidates, including Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R), Representative Byron Daniels (R-FL), and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who lost her race last year, was also reportedly admired by Trump.
The report suggested that Trump aims to align himself with loyal supporters in any future administration. Carlson’s hesitation regarding the vice presidency follows his earlier dismissal of a potential bid for the presidency. In 2022, despite calls from some activists for him to run, Carlson stated he had no ambition for the presidency, emphasizing his lack of desire for power or control.
Despite these revelations, the Trump campaign dismissed the report as speculative and fictional. A spokesperson for the campaign emphasized Trump’s focus on securing the Republican nomination and his intention to defeat Joe Biden in the upcoming general election.