Tucker Carlson, the recently ousted popular Fox News anchor, has shown interest in moderating Republican candidate forums and has reportedly discussed the possibility with former President Donald Trump.
The former president and Republican primary frontrunner recently floated the idea of skipping the forums moderated by Fox News after the “hostile” network failed to seek his advice on the issue. According to the Washington Post, Carlson has spoken with Trump about displacing Fox News as the hosting moderator to “take a jab at his former employer”:
Carlson and his team have discussed the possibility of moderating a candidate forum outside of the traditional protocols surrounding the GOP primary debate system, according to two people familiar with the considerations. These people said the setup — as well as Carlson’s availability to take on that kind of role, given the noncompete constraints of his contract with Fox — remains unclear. But Carlson has personally expressed enthusiasm about the idea, according to people familiar with his comments. At least one major candidate — Trump — has told Carlson he’s interested, according to a person familiar with the exchange.
The former Fox host’s interest in a debate is said to stem in part from its potential to loosen the Republican National Committee’s grip on the process, as well as to challenge the role traditionally played by the major television networks. “He could go straight to the candidates, stream it live, invite the networks but maintain control over the process,” said one person familiar with the discussions.
Tucker and Trump are already trying to hatch a plan to hold an alternate candidate forum for Republicans for 2024… scoop with @isaacstanbecker and @jeremymbarr https://t.co/kicfpYvb0K
— Sarah Ellison (@sarahellison) May 4, 2023
via magatribute
