Tucker Carlson surprises listeners with glowing praise for Newsom, calls him 'charming nominee'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tucker Carlson’s latest episode on Saturday, June 6, suggested that the long-time Trump ally-turned-harsh critic might have found his new political ally in the California governor.

Carlson called Gavin Newsom "charming" on 'The Tucker Carlson Show' and praised him as an “unbelievable” public speaker while discussing the West Coast liberal with comic and political pundit Jimmy Dore.

Over a month ago, the former Fox News host announced that he no longer supported Trump and regretted “misleading people” over his past support for the president, admitting that “he’ll be tormented by it for a long time.”

Tucker Carlson says Gavin Newsom appears ready for presidency

About 50 minutes into the podcast, Carlson asked Dore for his thoughts on Newsom.

Dore responded by praising the California governor, saying, “I think he’s fantastic, don’t you think he’s great? I think he cares about the people.”

He then joked, “I think it’s great. He’s going to make the country look as pretty as his hair,” prompting laughter from Carlson.

Carlson then went on to suggest that Newsom appeared well-positioned for a future presidential run. “I mean, it feels like he’s the nominee,” Carlson said, referring to the 2028 election.

Dore agreed that Newsom possessed strong communication skills, describing him as someone with “the gift of gab.”

“Oh, he’s unbelievable,” Carlson replied.

Dore later compared Newsom to former President Barack Obama, arguing that his speeches made people “feel better” even when he disagreed with what was being said. Carlson agreed with the assessment.

Carlson further praised Newsom’s political style, saying the governor would “say literally anything,” but adding that he was “fun to talk to” and “very charming.”

The conversation later shifted to whether Newsom differed from establishment Democrats such as Chuck Schumer. Dore argued that he did not, but suggested that reaching Newsom’s level in politics required playing the political game.

Tucker Carlson's remarks stand out after Trump break up

Carlson’s comments stood out, given his recent break with President Donald Trump.

The former Fox News host had sharply criticized Trump over the Iran conflict and accused him of being overly influenced by Israel, marking a significant departure from his earlier support for the president.

Reflecting on his backing, Carlson said it was a “moment to wrestle with our own consciences” and questioned whether the current situation “was always the plan.”

In response, Trump branded Carlson as "low IQ."