Tucker Carlson says he ‘never talked more’ with Trump after wrong war claim

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Fox News host Tucker 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.

Tucker Carlson's incorrect Venezuela war prediction

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,” Carlson said.

He added, “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 spoke at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards in Hollywood, Florida in November 2022 (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

Tucker Carlson says he spoke frequently with Donald Trump

In an interview published Saturday, December 20, by The Washington Post, Carlson said he had been in regular contact with Trump ahead of the address, with discussions often focusing on US actions against alleged drug-smuggling boats originating from Venezuela.

Despite those conversations, Carlson said the president chose a different focus for the speech.

“I’ve never talked to him more,” Carlson said, referring to his recent communications with Trump.

Carlson also claimed he urged Trump to avoid pursuing “regime change” in Venezuela during their private discussions.

Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whose election victory has been contested by several governments and international observers, of being behind alleged drug-smuggling operations, claims that the Venezuelan government has denied.

Ben Shapiro criticism adds to conservative backlash

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

At AmericaFest, commentator 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 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.