21. April 2026
Tucker Carlson Feels 'Remorse' For Role in Trump's Election: ‘We Helped Mislead People—No Question'
WASHINGTON--Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said Monday that he regrets his past support for President Donald Trump, offering an apology for what he described as having “misled” the public.
In a video posted to his program, “The Tucker Carlson Show,” Carlson said he expects to grapple with the consequences of his views for years. “I do think it’s a moment to wrestle with our own consciences,” he said. “We’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be, and I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people. It was not intentional.”
Carlson, who was once among Trump’s most prominent media allies, acknowledged his own role in promoting the president, noting that he had actively supported Trump politically. “We’re implicated in this for sure,” he said.
He added that simply reversing course is insufficient. “It’s not enough to say, ‘I changed my mind’ or ‘This is bad, I’m out,’” Carlson said during an interview with his brother, Buckley Carlson. “In small but real ways, you and I—and millions of people like us—are part of the reason this is happening right now.”
Carlson’s comments come as divisions among conservative figures have widened, particularly over Trump’s handling of the conflict involving Iran. At the same time, public opinion surveys have shown declining approval ratings for the president during his second term, with economic concerns such as inflation and the cost of living remaining top issues for voters.
In response to Carlson’s remarks, the White House pointed to a recent Truth Social post by Trump in which the president criticized former allies who have broken with him. In that post, dated April 9, Trump said such critics “have one thing in common, Low IQs,” adding, “They’re stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!”
Trump has previously singled out Carlson following the host’s criticism of his approach to Iran, telling the New York Post that Carlson is “a low-IQ person” who has “absolutely no idea what’s going on.”
Carlson is among several high-profile figures on the right who have publicly distanced themselves from Trump in recent months. Media personalities and political allies, including Alex Jones, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Candace Owens and Carrie Prejean Boller, have issued varying levels of criticism, some sharply condemning the president’s leadership.
Popular podcast hosts have also weighed in. Joe Rogan said earlier this year that some Trump supporters felt “betrayed,” while Theo Von questioned whether U.S. involvement in the conflict benefits everyday Americans. Criticism from these circles has extended beyond foreign policy to issues such as immigration, U.S.-Israel relations and the handling of materials related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Carlson, who left Fox News in 2023 following the network’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over defamation claims, has grown increasingly critical of Trump during his second term. He has objected to aspects of the administration’s rhetoric and strategy, including a recent Trump post urging Iran to reopen a key shipping route, which Carlson described as “vile” on multiple levels.
Buckley Carlson, the host’s son, previously worked in Vice President JD Vance’s press office before leaving to start his own firm.