Tucker Carlson Announces Plan to Build a Third Political Party

On July 1 2026, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson told the Columbia Journalism Review he will help build a third political party, arguing that the United States should prioritize domestic welfare over foreign conflicts.

Breitbart

Carlson, a former Trump ally, was dismissed from Fox News in 2023 after the $787.5 million Dominion settlement and now runs a podcast that exceeds one million X views. He left the Republican Party in June 2026, citing its support for the U.S.–Israel war with Iran. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has also spoken of forming a new party.

Forbes

• June 2026 – Carlson says he will not support the GOP in the 2026 midterms.

Newsweek

• June 2026 – He ends contact with Donald Trump after the “regime-change war” with Iran.

Forbes

• July 1 2026 – Announces third-party effort in Columbia Journalism Review interview.

HuffPost

• Future – Potential filing with the Federal Election Commission.

Newsweek

Carlson describes the United States as a ‘one-party state posing as a democracy’ and says foreign wars, such as the Iran conflict and Hamas, distract from Americans. He notes that citizens earning $60,000 feel ‘degraded’ and that life expectancy is falling. He will not run for office, says his choices are guided by instinct, not strategy, and adds he feels sorry for Donald Trump, calling him ‘not a man in charge of his own life.’

Breitbart

Political scientists note that U.S. third parties face strict ballot-access rules, winner-take-all elections and fundraising hurdles that have historically limited success. Newsweek warns that even with conservative support, Carlson’s movement must overcome these structural barriers and a lack of a detailed platform.

Newsweek

If Carlson draws a share of Republican voters, the GOP could face tighter 2026 midterm races, especially in competitive House and Senate districts, while domestic issues may dominate the political agenda.

Newsweek

Carlson gives no specifics on the party’s platform, leadership or filing date, and no response from the GOP or Trump is reported.

Newsweek

• “I’m going to help build a third party. There should be a good-faith effort to figure out what benefits the country,” — Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host

Breitbart

• “I officially don’t care about Hamas. The U.S. government should have, as its first priority, the welfare of its own people.” — Tucker Carlson

Breitbart

• “I mean, if you make $60,000 a year, you’re degraded. Your life expectancy has gone down, and the promise of your children’s lives is likely gone. No one seems to care. It’s not even a factor.” — Tucker Carlson

Breitbart

• “If you vote for Trump and you still wind up in a regime-change war — if Chuck Schumer is strongly behind Trump’s foreign policy, which he is — then we need options, or else let’s just give up and be ruled by the most unscrupulous people.” — Tucker Carlson

HuffPost

Carlson says formal FEC registration is required; the 2026 midterms will test the effort.

Newsweek