Topline
Former President Donald Trump said he was “shocked” by Tucker Carlson’s sudden departure from Fox News and joined several other GOP leaders in praising the controversial prime-time host, in an interview on Monday evening with Newsmax.
File Photo: Former President Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene during the 3rd … [+]
Key Facts
Speaking to NewsMax’s Greg Kelly, Trump said “I’m shocked…I’m surprised,” adding that he was just learning about the news of Carlson’s exit just before he sat down for the interview.
Trump called Carlson a “very good man” and praised the former Fox host’s “high ratings” and for being “terrific…especially over the last year or so.”
The former president indicated he is unaware of the circumstances behind Carlson’s exit, saying: “I don’t know if it was voluntary, or was it, somebody fired [him]
.”
When Kelly implied that Carlson was fired—as some reports suggest—Trump said “you don’t know if it’s a firing,” adding that the former host may have left “because he wasn’t being given his free rein.”
When asked about Fox’s recent $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, Trump said he was “surprised” by the network’s decision to make a settlement, as he thought “that was the case that should easily be won.”
Tangent
Later in the interview, Trump continued his attack on Ron DeSantis—his presumed chief rival for the 2024 Republican nomination—calling out the Florida Governor for his lack of “loyalty.” Trump said “I’m a loyal person, maybe to a fault… Somebody gets you into office and then you’re telling people ‘Well I don’t know if I’ll run against the president.’” Trump added that DeSantis—who hasn’t formally announced a presidential bid—has “obviously not run a very good campaign…he’s getting crushed,” as the former president once again took credit for DeSantis getting elected Governor in 2018.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/04/25/trump-shocked-and-surprised-by-tucker-carlsons-exit-from-fox/