Tucker Carlson, once aligned with MAGA audiences, offered unexpectedly warm remarks about California Gov. Gavin Newsom during a recent broadcast, calling him “very charming” and praising his conversational skills. Guest Jimmy Dore compared Newsom’s appeal to Barack Obama while also calling him “full of it,” a sentiment Carlson echoed. The exchange occurs against the backdrop of Carlson’s public spat with Donald Trump, who recently mocked Carlson and other critics with an AI-generated image on Truth Social.
‘He’s Very Charming’: Tucker Carlson Surprises With Praise For Gavin Newsom Amid Spat With Trump
Tucker Carlson, President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).Getty Images/YouTube.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has unexpectedly earned warm words from conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who praised the Democratic governor’s charm and conversational skills during a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show.
The exchange unfolded when Carlson asked his guest, independent commentator Jimmy Dore, for his take on Newsom. Dore complimented the governor’s populist appeal and presentation:
“I think he’s fantastic, don’t you think he’s great? I think he cares about the people. I think it’s great, he’s going to make the country look as pretty as his hair.”
Carlson laughed and suggested it felt as though Newsom were already the presumptive 2028 nominee, even though the governor has not formally launched a presidential campaign. Newsom is widely viewed as a leading potential contender and has said he is actively considering a run.
“We’ll see. I mean, he’s got the gift of gab,” Dore added, prompting Carlson to respond, “Oh, he’s unbelievable!” Dore also likened Newsom’s oratorical appeal to that of former President Barack Obama, describing both as able to make people “feel better” through uplifting rhetoric. At the same time, Dore admitted — and Carlson agreed — that Newsom can be “full of it.”
Despite criticizing Newsom’s willingness to say “literally anything,” Carlson said he finds the governor “fun to talk to” and “very charming.”
Context: Feud With Trump
The remarks come amid an ongoing feud between Carlson and former President Donald Trump. Last week, Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social that depicted Carlson alongside several other conservative figures — including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Thomas Massie, commentator Candace Owens, Rep. Lauren Boebert and Sen. Rand Paul — packed into an SUV with the U.S. Capitol in the background and the caption, “Get in loser, we’re going losing.”
In April, Trump told the New York Post he considers Carlson “a low-IQ person.” That comment followed Carlson’s criticism of a separate AI-altered image of Trump presented as Jesus — an image Carlson called mocking and offensive to Christianity during his April 15 podcast episode.
Viewers can watch the segment of The Tucker Carlson Show to hear Carlson’s full comments about Newsom; the relevant remarks appear around the 52:17 mark.
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