Tucker Carlson says he's 'out' of GOP after 35 years, predicts others may leave too

WASHINGTON, DC: Political commentator Tucker Carlson said he is done supporting the Republican Party after decades of loyalty, saying the Iran conflict exposed a break he can no longer defend.

His remarks underscored a widening split with Republicans he once championed. Carlson also warned that other longtime GOP voters could follow him out.

Tucker Carlson says decades of loyalty are over

Speaking during a recent appearance on the ‘Can't Be Censored’ podcast,  the former Fox News host said polling convinced him he could no longer back the GOP.

“The poll numbers now tell a pretty clear story about it. I would not support the Republican Party, there’s no chance,” Carlson said.

He stressed that his decision was not an endorsement of Democrats.

“Not because I support the Democratic Party. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he added.

Carlson then questioned how Americans could support a party he believes has abandoned the country's interests.

“How any American could support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States,” he said.

“It’s not possible to vote for people like that, and I’m not going to.”

Iran conflict drives Tucker Carlson's break

Carlson said his decision carried extra weight because he had spent most of his life defending Republicans.

“I voted Republican my entire life, I worked at Fox News … I’ve been a consistent defender for 35 years of the Republican Party, but there’s no defending this because it’s immoral,” he said.

The former Fox News host had previously supported President Donald Trump but broke with him after the US military campaign against Iran and its proxies began earlier this year.

Since then, Carlson has repeatedly criticized Trump over the conflict and accused the administration of being influenced by Israel in launching the war, a claim he has made publicly.

His criticism marked a sharp departure from a figure long associated with conservative media and Republican politics.

Former Fox News host warns other GOP voters could leave

Carlson made clear that his decision extends beyond a temporary disagreement and said he has no plans to support Republicans in future elections.

“So no, I’m out,” he said.

He also suggested his break with the party may not be unique.

“And if I’m out, then I think a lot of other people are out, too,” Carlson said.

Despite rejecting the Republican Party, Carlson said he is equally uncertain about where he stands politically.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said, while reiterating that he would not support Republicans and that “there’s no chance” he would vote for them.