FOX News’ most-watched pundit weighed in on the brewing rivalry between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump this weekend.
During an appearance at America Fest 2022, Tucker Carlson was asked if he would support Trump or DeSantis in the 2024 Presidential election.
Tucker refused to endorse either of them outright but was complimentary towards both.
“Let’s be honest. Who cares what I think? You know what I mean?” Carlson said. “I’m not endorsing anybody. I have no idea what’s going to happen in the Republican primary.”
Tucker Carlson asked to choose between Trump and DeSantispic.twitter.com/g6tOCKhdSN
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 18, 2022
Carlson said DeSantis, is fresh off of an overwhelming re-election victory, has done an “unbelievable job,” noting enthusiasm for the Florida Republican at the grassroots level.
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Recent polling shows that of all major political figures on both sides of the aisle, DeSantis is the only one who holds a positive approval rating.
A RealClearPolitics polling average showed the Florida Governor with a +5.2 approval rating.
New collection of polls from @RealClearNews about approval ratings for Biden, Trump, DeSantis, Harris, Pelosi, McConnell and McCarthy
Only one of those names has a net positive approval rating in any poll, and they have it in every poll as wellhttps://t.co/bZNZPjrDsd
— Michael Malice (@michaelmalice) December 11, 2022
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“I’ve never lived in a state where people just unburden at dinner, ‘I’m really glad we have our governor,’” Carlson said. “What? I’ve never lived in a place where people knew who the governor was.”
While Trump is still seen as the frontrunner in the 2024 Presidential election by many, DeSantis has continued to close the gap in polling as he’s gained more name recognition across the country.
🇺🇸#USA, 2024 Republican primary poll:
⏬Trump: 40 % (-5)
⏫DeSantis: 35 % (+9)
🔽Pence: 7 % (-2)
🔼Haley: 4 % (+1)
⏸️Cheney: 3 %
⏸️Cruz: 2 %
…Cygnal, 14/12/22 pic.twitter.com/V74S9H4EmO
— World Elects (@ElectsWorld) December 18, 2022
Tucker also had pleasant things to say about the former President. He said that Trump played a pivotal role in changing his views on immigration and foreign policy with his ‘America First’ brand of conservatism, saying that he “changed my view on everything.”
“Fundamentally, I agree with him on the big things, on immigration, foreign policy,” Carlson said.
Tucker has echoed similar sentiments before. Earlier this week, he said that Trump’s “common sense” questions on issues like immigration, foreign policy, and trade were important in changing his worldview.
Tucker: "Really what changed me was watching Trump in 2015. What changed my view wasn't Trump but the reaction to Trump. They were so hysterical about obvious and common sense questions about the way things were working that that was a tell to me." pic.twitter.com/v8obtZGET6
— American Firebrand (@AmFirebrand) December 13, 2022
While Tucker refused to commit to a favorite in the 2024 Republican Primary, he did acknowledge that both Trump and DeSantis seem to be on a collision course. If you were hoping to get an answer from him on the result, you will be sorely disappointed as he said he has “no idea”.
“I strongly agree with them, so thank heaven I don’t have to think through how this is going to end,” he continued. “I mean, at this point, it does seem like two forces moving toward one another at high speed. And how can that go well? And the answer is I have no idea. I have no idea.”
Other stories you may want to read:
‘At Long Last’: DeSantis Promises to Codify Constitutional Carry in Florida
Trump Weighs in on Speakers Race, RNC Chair Race
