Tucker Carlson’s Return to Prime Time at Republican Convention

Tucker Carlson’s Triumphant Return to Prime Time

Tucker Carlson’s much-anticipated return to the spotlight was nothing short of electrifying. The former Fox News anchor, who was ousted from the network 15 months ago, made a grand entrance at the Republican convention held at the Fiserv Forum on Thursday evening. The crowd erupted in applause, showcasing that his support among the Make America Great Again (MAGA) enthusiasts remains strong. The smile on his face reflected the joy of reclaiming his place in the limelight.

Recently, Mr. Carlson has nestled himself within the inner circle of former President Donald J. Trump. He delivered an unscripted monologue reminiscent of his previous Fox News segments, infused with off-color humor and ominous warnings about a nation perilously close to tyranny if Mr. Trump does not succeed in the upcoming November election.

While convention organizers aimed to present a more relatable and compassionate image of Mr. Trump—highlighting his affection for family and music—Mr. Carlson took a different approach. He broached more contentious topics, making pointed remarks about President Biden’s age and hinting at Republican conspiracy theories suggesting that the 2020 election was fraudulent. “You could take, I don’t know, a mannequin, a dead person, and make them president,” he jested, drawing laughter from the crowd. “You could. You could! I’m just saying, it’s theoretically possible. With enough cheating, that could happen.”

The audience responded enthusiastically, showering Mr. Carlson with cheers. There were enthusiastic whoops when he noted that he was speaking without a script, a rhetorical flourish that aimed to project an image of authenticity. Notably, his teleprompter remained blank throughout his nearly 12-minute address.

Mr. Carlson went on to commend Mr. Trump as “the funniest person I ever met in my life,” adding a sentiment that resonated with the evening’s softer undertones: “You can’t be funny without perspective or without empathy.” However, it was noteworthy that Mr. Trump was not present in the hall during Mr. Carlson’s remarks.

Yet, one of Mr. Carlson’s attempted jokes seemed to miss the mark. With a cheeky grin, he referred to Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio—whom he advocated for as a potential Trump running mate—as “one of the only politicians in Washington who is actually very close to his own wife.” The line landed awkwardly, especially given the notable absence of Melania Trump throughout the convention’s earlier events, though she made her appearance in the hall later that evening.