Tucker Carlson ‘certainly a contender’ for Trump’s VP pick, Don Jr says

Ousted Fox News host Tucker Carlson is “certainly a contender” to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election, Mr Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr has said.

Mr Carlson is in the running despite the earlier revelation that he privately shared his disgust with the ex-commander-in-chief, writing in a text “I hate [Trump] passionately”.

The host’s candid view of Mr Trump was revealed in the discovery process in the lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News for its defamatory and inaccurate coverage of baseless allegations that the voting machine manufacturer had helped rig the 2020 election in favour of President Joe Biden. They reached a settlement in April last year.

Appearing on Newsmax, Mr Trump Jr said that Carlson as a possible VP pick “clearly would be on the table”.

“I mean they’re very friendly, I think they agree on virtually all of these things. They certainly agree on stopping the never-ending wars. And so, I would love to see that happen. That would certainly be a contender,” he added.

Mr Trump said in November that he would consider Carlson “because he’s got great common sense”.

But when asked by Roseanne Barr on her podcast late last year about the possibility of joining Mr Trump’s 2024 ticket, Carlson said: “I put that in the category of an asteroid striking the Earth. Good or bad, it’s so far outside of my control.”

He said being in contention was flattering but added that he’s “never been in politics”.

When asked if he would accept the opportunity if offered, he said: “I guess I’d have to think about that.”

Carlson grew into one of the largest stars on Fox News as he peddled white supremacist, racist ideas, and various conspiracy theories.

His show was