Tucker Carlson is reportedly interested in hosting an alternate GOP presidential primary debate and has been discussing the matter with Donald Trump.
The Washington Post reports that Carlson is seeking some sway in the 2024 election news cycle, and hosting a Republican debate would allow him that leverage while still maintaining independence.
In fact, they claim, the most popular personality in media today is willing to forgo millions of dollars owed to him in his Fox News contract just to have that opportunity.
Carlson, the Post writes, “wants to moderate his own GOP candidate forum, outside of the usual strictures of the Republican National Committee debate system.”
They describe the effort as “ambitious” and his “grandest plan.”
Tucker and Trump are already trying to hatch a plan to hold an alternate candidate forum for Republicans for 2024… scoop with @isaacstanbecker and @jeremymbarr https://t.co/kicfpYvb0K
— Sarah Ellison (@sarahellison) May 4, 2023
Are Tucker Carlson and Trump About to Screw Fox News on the Debates?
What makes the story particularly enamoring is that Tucker Carlson seems poised to stick it to Fox News in regard to the debates.
How? Because former President Donald Trump has already hinted that he’d avoid appearing in at least one of the first two debates because he’s “up by too many points” over his nearest competitor, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
In fact, Trump is beating DeSantis by a larger margin than President Biden is beating his top challenger, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
And who is hosting the first Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee this August? Fox News.
Make sure and check out my interview with @kylenabecker for @TPInsidr where we discuss if Fox News self destructed by firing Tucker, If 24 hour Cable News has outlived it’s usefulness, What Trump gains by skipping the debates and much more. https://t.co/JCml1Ud85Q pic.twitter.com/MpQ0iHTaZo
— Brett R. Smith (@BrettRSmith76) May 3, 2023
What would be a bigger ‘eff you’ to your former employer than hosting a debate with the GOP frontrunner and scoring far more viewers because of it?
The idea of Carlson hosting an alternate debate, the Washington Post writes, “would test his vaunted sway over conservative politics.”
“And it would take a jab at his former employer … if he can manage to make his grandest plan happen.”
Carlson is reportedly seeking to “loosen the Republican National Committee’s grip on the (debate) process” and to “challenge the role traditionally played by the major television networks.”
BREAKING: Tucker Carlson has been in talks with President Trump about moderating a primary debate outside the control of the RNC & Fox News.
This would be incredible.
— Pro Swing Trading (@Pro__Trading) May 4, 2023
RELATED: Fox News’ Murdochs Held Secret Phone Call With Zelensky Weeks Before Fox News Fired Tucker Carlson
Will Fox News Let it Happen?
A plan to host an alternate debate has apparently already proceeded to the discussion phase, with Tucker Carlson having spoken about the matter with Trump.
The Post notes that the former Fox News star has “talked to Trump about a candidate forum” and that the leading candidate for the Republican nomination is “interested.”
Trump recently posted a screenshot of former advisor Steve Bannon suggesting he should “not agree to participate in any” primary debates.
A forum hosted by Carlon, outside the Fox News media bubble and the grip of the RNC, has to be thoroughly intriguing, however.
There is a major sticking point as to whether or not Carlson could pull this off – his remaining contract with Fox.
“Carlson and his team have discussed the possibility of moderating a candidate forum outside of the traditional protocols surrounding the GOP primary debate system,” the Post writes, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
“These people said the setup — as well as Carlson’s availability to take on that kind of role, given the noncompete constraints of his contract with Fox — remain unclear.”
Megyn Kelly on Donald Trump skipping the debates:
“I have an idea. I have an idea… I think he should do a live, tough interview with TuckerCarlson at the same time as the Fox News debate.”https://t.co/2VWedIvM7R
— Sandy (@RightGlockMom) May 5, 2023
Carlson’s contract status could very well limit his options until his deal with the network runs out at the end of 2024.
But his enthusiasm for getting back in the game includes forfeiting millions of dollars to get out of the contract.
POLL: Would you watch a forum hosted by Tucker over a debate hosted by Fox News?
“He is willing to walk away from some of the millions that Fox is contractually obligated to pay him, if that would give him the flexibility to have a prominent voice in the 2024 election cycle,” according to the Post.
If the stars align, which debate would you rather see?
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The post Report: Tucker Carlson In Discussions With Trump About Hosting ‘Alternate’ GOP Debate, Potentially Screwing Fox appeared first on The Political Insider.
