Fact Check: Did Obama’s company pay Tucker Carlson $40M before he criticized Trump?

WASHINGTON, DC: A claim involving a large alleged payment to political commentator Tucker Carlson has sparked questions online about his criticism of President Donald Trump.

The claim says that Barack Obama’s “Obamacorp” paid Carlson $40 million through his LLC one week before he publicly criticized Trump. Let’s fact-check the claim. 

Claim: Tucker Carlson turned against Trump after Obama’s company paid him $40M

The rumor originated from an X account that claimed Tucker Carlson did not turn against Trump over his “America First” views or the war in Iran. Instead, the account alleged that Barack Obama’s company paid Carlson $40 million.

The post stated, “The real reason Tucker flipped just came out. It wasn’t ‘America First.’ It wasn’t the war in Iran. A company owned by Barack Obama paid him $40 million.”

The post then expanded on the allegation by claiming that the payment was documented in public records.

It alleged, “According to public records, Obamacorp, the for-profit arm of Obama’s financial holdings, sent the payment to Carlson’s LLC just one week before he went live and smeared President Trump’s good name.”

The X user concluded by suggesting that the alleged payment influenced Carlson’s criticism of Trump, writing, “Just like everything else the bad people say about our President… Carlson’s trash was bought and paid for.”

Fact Check: False, no evidence to back the viral claim

The claim is false. There is no evidence that Barack Obama or any entity called “Obamacorp” paid Tucker Carlson $40 million to criticize Donald Trump. No credible public records, financial filings, or news reports document such a company or a $40 million payment to Carlson or his LLC.

The original post provides only a Telegram invitation link and a composite image of Carlson and Obama, without offering financial records, filings, or other primary evidence to support the allegation.

Obama’s post-presidential activities are publicly documented and include the Obama Foundation, the production company Higher Ground, book deals, speaking engagements, and other business interests.

However, no credible source identifies an Obama-owned for-profit entity called “Obamacorp” that made a payment to Carlson.

Carlson’s recent disagreements with Trump supporters have largely focused on foreign policy, particularly US involvement related to Iran.

He has presented his position as consistent with his “America First” views. His publicly known revenue sources after leaving Fox News include private investments, advertising, subscriptions, speaking engagements, and media ventures.

There is no documented evidence linking his income to a $40 million payment from Obama or an Obama-affiliated company.