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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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Tucker Carlson has broken with the Republican Party, declaring he will no longer support the GOP after decades as one of its most prominent defenders.
Carlson remains a major figure in conservative media, and his rejection of the party signals a deeper fracture inside the right as the Iran war and U.S.–Israel policy dominate internal debate.
His departure could influence voters who have long followed his commentary, potentially accelerating defections among Republicans already uneasy with the party’s foreign‑policy direction.
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Carlson made the announcement during a June 18 appearance on the Can’t Be Censored podcast, saying the GOP has “betrayed” Americans by prioritizing the interests of a foreign government over its own citizens. “I would not support the Republican Party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican Party,” he said, adding, “I’m out.”
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Why Carlson Says He’s Done With the GOP
Carlson argued that Republican leaders have placed loyalty to Israel above U.S. interests, accusing the party of backing President Donald Trump’s Iran war under pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said the conflict — which he described as a war the U.S. has “effectively lost already” — was the final proof that Washington had abandoned its own citizens.
He said in the podcast appearance: "How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States. That puts the interests of a foreign country above those of its own citizens. It’s not possible to vote for people like that, and I’m not going to."
Carlson also said that Trump’s 2024 campaign was funded by people with “loyalty to Israel,” forcing decisions he believes are not aligned with U.S. priorities.
Trump Has Dismissed the Idea that Israel Influenced His Iran Decisions
Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea that Israel dictated his Iran strategy. In March, he said, “If anything, I might’ve forced Israel’s hand,” and earlier this month insisted Israel has “no choice” but to accept whatever deal he negotiates with Iran.
“I call the shots,” Trump told Financial Times. “[Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots.”
A Dramatic Turn After Decades of GOP Loyalty
Carlson emphasized that he has voted Republican his “entire life” and defended the party for 35 years. But he said the GOP’s current posture is “immoral” and incompatible with what he believes the country needs.
His break follows months of escalating criticism of Trump over the Iran war — including suggesting the president could be the “antichrist” — and reflects a broader ideological realignment on the right.
Some conservatives say they’re 'done'with the GOP, too
Carlson’s announcement drew an immediate reaction from parts of the Republican base, including allies who say his break reflects deeper frustration within the party. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X that Carlson is “not the only one” done supporting the GOP, arguing that many conservatives feel the party has “betrayed its voters and country.”
“There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up and will not support a party that betrays its voters and country,” she said, adding that the shift does not mean they are “turning into Democrats,” but that they are “DONE with the America LAST Republican Party.”
What This Means for Conservative Voters
Carlson warned that if he is abandoning the GOP, “a lot of other people are out” as well.
His audience remains large across Tucker on X and the Tucker Carlson Network, giving him a platform capable of shaping Republican voter sentiment even from outside the party structure.
The move highlights a widening divide between traditional Republican leadership and populist‑nationalist voices who argue the party has strayed from its stated America‑first principles.
What is the 'Can’t Be Censored' Podcast?
The Can’t Be Censored podcast is an independent media platform hosted by former CBC journalist Travis Dhanraj and communications strategist Karman Wong, built around long‑form, unscripted conversations on politics, culture, and stories they argue mainstream outlets overlook. The show’s mission is to create a space for candid discussions free from corporate filters or network editorial constraints — a pointed nod to the hosts’ past at the CBC.
The podcast features a wide range of guests, from political figures and commentators to scientists and cultural voices, and has expanded beyond audio into a full digital network with its own website, articles, and standalone app.
Notable episodes include its Canadian‑exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson, Dhanraj’s own account of his exit from the CBC, and conversations with public figures such as Anthony Scaramucci, Preston Manning, Ali Velshi, and Sean Spicer, as well as human‑interest interviews like those with Xavier Trudeau and Claire Elyse Brosseau.
What is Tucker Carlson's Net Worth?
Carlson has an estimated net worth of $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth comes from a combination of high‑earning television contracts, book deals, real estate holdings, and long‑term family trust income.
Carlson’s peak salary at Fox News reached $10 million per year, a figure he secured after moving into the network’s primetime lineup in 2017. When he left Fox in April 2023, he walked away from roughly $25 million in guaranteed pay remaining on his contract to pursue independent media ventures.
Beyond broadcasting, Carlson has earned money from bestselling books, speaking engagements, and his co‑founding stake in The Daily Caller, which he later sold. He also receives monthly distributions from the Swanson family trusts, a legacy tied to the frozen‑food empire built by Carl A. Swanson. Court filings indicate those payments now total roughly $8,000 per month following the death of his father in 2025.
Carlson’s real estate portfolio includes multiple properties in Florida and Maine, adding to the overall value of his assets. Together, these income streams place him among the wealthiest media figures in conservative politics.
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Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gabe Whisnant and Gray R. Thomas.
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