Full Breakdown
Tucker Carlson Confronted Over Antichrist Remark in NYT Interview
5/3/2026, 9:27:38 AM
Core Confrontation: Antichrist Question and Denial
During a two-hour New York Times podcast interview, Lulu Garcia-Navarro asked Tucker Carlson if he had called President Donald Trump the “Antichrist.” Carlson said he had never made such a statement. The Times then played a clip where Carlson said, “Here’s a leader mocking the gods of his ancestors… Could this be the Antichrist?” He later claimed the words existed but that they had never actually left his mouth.
Background: From Trump Ally to Iran War Critic
Carlson backed Trump throughout the presidency and hosted a Fox News show until leaving in 2023. He now runs a MAGA podcast, opposes the administration’s decision to strike Iran, and describes Trump as “a slave to geopolitical pressures,” noting that people in the president’s orbit have suffered harm.
Timeline of Key Moments
- 2023 – Carlson leaves Fox News, launches MAGA podcast.
- May 2 2026 – NYT interview; Antichrist exchange.
- 2026 – Carlson opposes US-Israeli air campaign against Iran.
Official Statements & Responses
Carlson said he regrets his earlier support for Trump and has long harbored private doubts. He described Trump's influence as having a spell-binding quality, suggesting it felt almost supernatural. Garcia-Navarro characterized his remarks as relying on unseen forces and spiritual explanations for politics.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media users called Carlson a liar and a “kook.” Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney posted, “What a kook.” Ex-GOP lawmaker Joe Walsh labeled him a liar. Film critic John Rocha accused him of “backtracking like a little b----.” Analysts see the episode as a possible GOP flashpoint.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Carlson denied ever saying the Antichrist phrase, yet the clip shows him using those words. He later said the words existed but “never left my lips.” The interview offers no independent verification of the remark’s context, leaving its precise intent unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have not said that,” — Tucker Carlson
- “I think it probably literally is a spell,” — Tucker Carlson
- “I don't know where those words come from, but they never left my lips,” — Tucker Carlson
- “Tucker is such a liar,” — Joe Walsh, former GOP lawmaker
- “Uh oh. Looks like someone’s bag is being threatened, and he’s backtracking like a little b----,” — John Rocha, film critic
Why It Matters: Implications for the Conservative Movement
The interview underscores Carlson’s shift from Trump ally to vocal critic, hinting at a fracture within the MAGA base. His spiritual framing and the backlash from former supporters illustrate evolving right-wing rhetoric and its potential effect on GOP cohesion.
What’s Next
The New York Times will continue its series on influential conservatives. Carlson’s sizable podcast audience and his stance on the Iran conflict may shape GOP discourse as the 2026 election cycle unfolds.
