The Tucker Carlson Show - Tucker Carlson - Ep. 56 A Christmas Eve election surprise Aired: 2023-12-24 Duration: 06:54 === Will He Get In? (02:25) === [00:00:00] 2024 has not even begun yet, and it does seem like the presidential race is effectively frozen in place, if not over. [00:00:08] We know who the candidates are. [00:00:09] It's too late for another to get in. [00:00:11] Some have already dropped out. [00:00:12] But is it too late? [00:00:14] Is there anyone in this country with 350 million people who could jump in at this late date and re-scramble the calculus of electoral politics? [00:00:24] Well, there may be someone. [00:00:25] And in fact, you already know him. [00:00:27] You know his face. [00:00:28] And the question is, Will he get in this cycle? [00:00:31] And that's my question for you. [00:00:34] Well, that's really a decision for the people, Tucker. [00:00:38] It's not something that I really think about or want to do. [00:00:42] And Merry Christmas to you, too. [00:00:45] But I've always believed that nothing should be off the table in life or in art. [00:00:50] I think we could both agree that we need to get some adults back in the room, so if that means taking on the chief executive role, well, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for this great nation. [00:00:59] Adults in the room. [00:01:00] I love it. [00:01:01] I can see it as a bumper sticker. [00:01:02] Is that your campaign slogan? [00:01:03] That's not a bad idea. [00:01:05] Look, I think first our country needs to stop apologizing and stiffen up. [00:01:10] I mean, look, we've got so many people running around with so many different issues like gun control, the important issue. [00:01:15] But let's be honest. [00:01:16] The truth is, more people are killed by online trolls every day. [00:01:20] That may be true, actually, but then they're protected by the First Amendment. [00:01:24] They can say whatever they want. [00:01:25] You believe in the First Amendment, I assume? [00:01:27] Of course I do. [00:01:28] Look, people spewing ridiculous ideas is nothing new, and they should always have that right. [00:01:34] But the problem is, some are on the way we started listening. [00:01:37] And we should remember the salient words of Benjamin Franklin, who said, do not believe anything of what you hear and only half of what you see. [00:01:46] He wasn't telling people to stop talking. [00:01:48] He was telling us to stop listening. [00:01:49] So let's stop blaming bots and college kids and start telling leaders what leadership really means. [00:01:56] I love it. [00:01:57] But how do you do that? [00:01:58] Well, this country is mired in so much contradiction and confusion, we don't even know how we can help anyone anymore, because we can't agree who needs help. [00:02:07] I mean, what doesn't come with a trigger warning these days? [00:02:10] I mean, Tucker, we are far too close to having a beanbag chair in the Oval Office. [00:02:14] We coddle to everybody. [00:02:15] Okay, you think you're a rabbit, that's fine. [00:02:17] But let me tell you something. [00:02:19] You sure as hell aren't going to see someone walking through my White House in bunny ears and a tail, unless it's Easter. [00:02:24] Well, amen! === Not Afraid to Push (04:29) === [00:02:25] But how do you think we got here in the first place? [00:02:27] Fear. [00:02:28] Fear. [00:02:29] And then some more fear. [00:02:30] That's been the consistent theme. [00:02:32] Fear. [00:02:33] And that's why I'm going to keep saying we need to get some adults back in the room. [00:02:36] Sounds like you're running. [00:02:38] If you did run, I assume it would be as an independent. [00:02:40] Well, I've always been independent my whole life, no matter what my party affiliation. [00:02:44] Even though at the moment I don't quite recognize my old party. [00:02:48] So, at what point would you get in if you did? [00:02:51] Well, I think there's time. [00:02:53] I've never been afraid to show up a little late for the dance. [00:02:56] But lots of people want to be president. [00:02:58] What would you specifically bring that others aren't? [00:03:00] Well, I think I have a long and very solid relationship with the public. [00:03:05] And that's a bond that has never been broken. [00:03:07] I mean, I've almost felt like I can talk to them directly. [00:03:11] Well, I mean, you do talk to them. [00:03:12] Every Christmas you give a statement. [00:03:14] It is Christmas Eve. [00:03:16] What is your statement specifically this year? [00:03:18] You know, Tucker, I think it's just good enough to sip some eggnog and decorate the tree and listen to White Christmas and embrace all the things that make this such a special day. [00:03:28] The truth is, I love nothing better on this day than to do a line of blow, drink a whiskey and coke, hit a reindeer with my car, and wish you all the naughtiest Christmas ever. [00:03:37] You know, you and I have something in common, actually. [00:03:40] Oh, yes, we both got canned by our network. [00:03:43] True! [00:03:43] But they actually tried to kill you. [00:03:45] Yes, but here we are, Tucker, bigger than ever. [00:03:48] So, looking back on all the drama, do you think that legacy media played a role in what happened to you? [00:03:54] Look, I think they're trying to do their best to stay relevant. [00:03:57] Look, platforms like X, I mean, you move information around so quick that everybody else is just playing catch-up. [00:04:02] Legacy media's diligence has turned out to be they just cut and paste what some I mean, look, this will be a good example. [00:04:10] Watch how they report on this conversation. [00:04:13] There'll be one or two headlines that get repeated over and over and over. [00:04:16] I think, actually, if legacy media wants to survive, they're going to have to start slowing down. [00:04:21] That's smart. [00:04:22] I agree with that. [00:04:23] By the way, do you watch Netflix anymore? [00:04:25] Probably as much as you watch Fox. [00:04:27] Fair. [00:04:29] So that doesn't mean that you're gone, though, from Netflix. [00:04:32] I don't even know if you're aware of this, but every time a person pulls up the Netflix app, you're there in some way. [00:04:40] Have you seen this? [00:04:42] Yes, you know what that is. [00:04:48] Boom, boom. [00:04:50] So it is bizarre that they decided to publicly cut ties with me on allegations alone, allegations that have now been proven false, because I don't think there's any question. [00:04:59] Netflix exists because of me. [00:05:02] I put them on the map and they tried to put me in the ground. [00:05:05] Do you think within Netflix and the leadership suites that your influence is still felt? [00:05:10] Well, according to your research, my influence is felt every time every customer opens the app. [00:05:14] I'd say that's pretty powerful. [00:05:15] Oh, that's true. [00:05:16] When are you getting back to work, by the way? [00:05:18] Oh, I've been back at work from the moment we started talking, Tucker. [00:05:22] So does that mean this is like an episode, or is it real? [00:05:26] Well, it's probably a little of both. [00:05:28] I mean, Tucker, what's true, what's false? [00:05:32] What's life, what's art, what's real? [00:05:35] What's performance? [00:05:36] I love it when these things intersect because then it gets interesting. [00:05:42] What role do you see yourself playing going forward? [00:05:46] I will play whatever role the public wants me to play. [00:05:50] And what about you, Tucker? [00:05:51] What role do you want to play? [00:05:52] I mean, if I run, I'm going to need a vice president. [00:05:55] I'll sleep on it. [00:05:57] I mean, people have already gotten out of the race. [00:05:59] People have dropped out already. [00:06:00] What do you think of those? [00:06:02] Well, you know, It's a little bit like jumping in the jacuzzi with a boner. [00:06:08] You know it ain't gonna last forever. [00:06:10] So I wasn't surprised when Mike, a little too pensive, jumped out right away. [00:06:15] I wasn't either. [00:06:17] But what about the candidates who are still in? [00:06:19] Well, I like Vivek. [00:06:22] Dre and the Ramaswamy. [00:06:24] And Nikki Haley is tough. [00:06:26] She's no doubt learned a thing or two by watching me. [00:06:30] But I think in the end, we need someone in the White House who's not afraid like me. [00:06:35] Not afraid to push our country or a journalist in the right direction if it comes to that. [00:06:42] I sure appreciate your coming on. [00:06:43] It was great to see you. [00:06:44] Thank you. [00:06:45] Well, thank you, Tucker. [00:06:46] I only showed up because I was told I would get to be on X. Not the drug, not the platform. [00:06:50] I was curious as to what Tucker on X might be like. [00:06:53] I have never tried that.