In a development sending ripples through conservative media and political circles, prominent journalist Tucker Carlson has revealed his active efforts to dismantle America's two-party political structure. Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with the Columbia Journalism Review on Wednesday, Carlson did not mince words regarding President Donald Trump, accusing him of undermining his own presidency, the Republican Party, and the nation itself.
"That’s not a democracy. That’s a one-party state posing as a democracy, and it needs to be broken, and there’s going to be a third party, and I’m going to do everything I can to bring that about." — Tucker Carlson, Journalist/Media Personality
Carlson, a former Fox News personality, elaborated on his long-standing anti-war position, particularly concerning Iran, and voiced support for Palestinian interests while criticizing Israeli policy. He also addressed the controversy surrounding his interview with Nick Fuentes. However, it was a question near the end of the interview about potential collaboration with other anti-war voices in Washington that yielded the most significant revelation.
"I do know what really matters is war and finance. Where does the money come from? Where does it go? And who gets killed? And on those questions, the parties are in lockstep solidarity with each other," Carlson stated. He then escalated his critique, characterizing the American political system as fundamentally broken. "That’s not a democracy. That’s a one-party state posing as a democracy, and it needs to be broken, and there’s going to be a third party, and I’m going to do everything I can to bring that about," he affirmed.
To illustrate his point, Carlson cited Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer's alignment with President Trump's Iran policy as evidence that both major parties often operate in unison on critical issues. "If you vote for Trump and you still wind up in a regime-change war… then we need options, or else let’s just give up and be ruled by the most unscrupulous people," Carlson said, highlighting his frustration with the perceived lack of meaningful choice for voters.
Carlson clarified that he is not seeking elected office himself. He recounted an instance before a previous New York Times interview where he anticipated questions about a presidential run, musing, "I was very tempted to say ‘I am running — on the pro-patriarchy ticket.’ Just to make sure I gain no new fans." This Times interview took place in May, a month before Carlson officially announced his departure from the Republican Party.
Even then, Carlson had begun hinting at external influences on President Trump, specifically mentioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its supporters in the United States. By June, Carlson's stance had solidified into a complete rejection of his former party affiliation. "I would not support the Republican Party," he told a podcast host. "There’s no chance I would support the Republican Party." He framed his objection as a matter of national loyalty, asking, "At this point, how could I, or any American voter, support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States?"
News of Carlson's pronouncements quickly circulated online, drawing reactions from various platforms, including a social media account formerly associated with Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, now operating as "Headquarters." Carlson’s criticisms of President Trump carry particular weight given their past relationship, with Carlson previously credited for influencing President Trump's decision to consider then-Senator J.D. Vance as his 2024 running mate.
Carlson revealed that he and President Trump have not spoken since the outbreak of conflict with Iran. "I’m not interested in talking to him. I feel sorry for him. He’s not a man in charge of his own life at this point," Carlson stated. He further questioned the motivations behind the President's actions. "What is it really about, in Trump’s mind? Why did he destroy himself? His administration? His legacy? The Republican Party and America? I don’t know, but maybe someone at [Columbia Journalism Review] should get on this and find out," he challenged.
Notably, Carlson's remarks emerged just one day after former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia publicly discussed her own exploration of third-party options with Piers Morgan. Greene described a potential "coalition-style movement" focused on national interest rather than traditional party loyalties. "I think there’s a group of us that, if we decide to align, we could launch a true America-focused party that doesn’t fall into the traps of Democrats and Republicans, but could align some serious players from the right and the left," she explained. Greene had previously endorsed Carlson's disengagement from the GOP, asserting online that his frustrations are widely shared among conservatives. "Tucker is not the only one who is done supporting the Republican Party," Greene wrote. "There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up and will not support a party that betrays its voters and country." She also clarified, "That does not mean we are turning into Democrats either. But we are DONE with the America LAST Republican Party."
The history of third-party movements in the United States offers a cautionary perspective. Ross Perot's Reform Party, stemming from his independent presidential bid in 1992, which garnered 19 percent of the vote, represents the last significant attempt to disrupt the two-party dominance. Despite early promise, including Jesse "The Body" Ventura's gubernatorial win in Minnesota in 1998, the party eventually dissolved amid internal conflicts by 2000. Interestingly, President Trump himself once considered running for the Reform Party's 2000 presidential nomination but ultimately declined the opportunity.
