JD Vance defends Tucker Carlson, insists he has a place in the conservative movement

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance has publicly come out in support of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, dismissing the calls within the right to sideline him after a failed prediction about a potential war announcement.

Vance framed Carlson as a friend and a very influential voice firmly rooted in the conservative movement.

JD Vance won't throw Tucker Carlson 'under the bus'

"Tucker’s a friend of mine. Do I have disagreements with Tucker Carlson? Sure. I have disagreements with most of my friends, especially those who work in politics," Vance told the outlet UnHerd. "I’m [also] a very loyal person, and I am not going to get into the business of throwing friends under the bus."

"The idea that Tucker Carlson, who has one of the largest podcasts in the world, who has millions of listeners, who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election, who supported me in the 2024 election... the idea that his views are somehow completely anathema to conservatism, that he has no place in the conservative movement, is frankly absurd," the vice president insisted. "And I don’t think anybody actually believes it."

Tucker Carlson's Venezuela war prediction turns flat

Vance’s remark comes after Carlson found himself under scrutiny from fellow conservatives after a public prediction about President Donald Trump announcing a war on Venezuela turned out to be incorrect.

Carlson had claimed on the ‘Judging Freedom’ podcast that Trump could announce military action against Venezuela during a special address on December 17, as tensions between the two countries were reportedly escalating.

The address ultimately focused on the rollout of “warrior dividend” checks for US military service members, with no mention of war.

Carlson framed his claim cautiously on the podcast, saying he was working with limited information.

“What I know so far is that members of Congress were briefed yesterday that a war is coming, and it may be announced in the address to the nation tonight at nine o’clock by the president,” the former Fox News host said, adding, “Who knows if that will actually happen. I don’t know. And I never want to overstate what I know, which is pretty limited in general.”

Carlson also said the information came from a member of Congress who spoke to him earlier that day.

Tucker Carlson faces backlash from conservative commentators

Carlson’s incorrect prediction reignited tensions with other prominent conservative commentators.

At Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, The Daily Wire editor emeritus Ben Shapiro criticized Carlson and others for what he described as a pattern of promoting conspiracy theories and failing to challenge extremist rhetoric.

“The fact that they have said nothing while Candace [Owens] has been vomiting all sorts of hideous and conspiratorial nonsense into the public square for years is just as cowardly,” Shapiro said.

The remarks intensified debate within conservative media over Carlson’s influence and his choice of guests.

In response, Carlson rejected accusations of antisemitism and dismissed the backlash as exaggerated.

He defended his interview approach by saying, “You tell me I can’t do that, then I want to do it all the more. You tell me I have to hate Russia? Okay, I’m going to fly to Moscow and interview Putin. You tell me that I’m not allowed to listen to Nick Fuentes? I’m going to interview him.”

The controversy underscored growing fractures within conservative media, with Carlson remaining a polarizing figure despite criticism over his failed war prediction and continued prominence.