Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Tucker Carlson Isn’t Running for President — For Now

Former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has denied recent speculation that conservative commentator Tucker Carlson plans to run for president, saying he has publicly and privately ruled out a White House bid — at least for the moment.

Speculation flared earlier this month after Greene posted a photo of herself alongside Carlson and a group of MAGA dissidents while announcing a new political movement on August 1. The gathering included figures such as Rep. Thomas Massie and congressional candidate Joe Kent, who have publicly broken with former President Donald Trump over the U.S. response to the war in Iran and other issues. Some participants have also criticized the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein-related materials.

Tucker Carlson will not be running for president despite the rumors, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said (AFP via Getty Images)

Greene described the new effort as an "America First" movement born of frustration with both major parties. In an August 1 post, she wrote:

"We said no more foreign wars and we meant it and supported Donald Trump because he made that promise. But he's betrayed us all. Our commitment is America First for all Americans, right, left, and center. The movement has begun."

Speaking to Politico, Greene said grassroots enthusiasm for the still-loose coalition has been "overwhelming," adding that she has fielded a flood of calls about the project. But she was unequivocal about Carlson's intentions: "Tucker, he's not running for president," she told the outlet, saying he has made that clear publicly and in private.

Earlier this month, Marjorie Taylor Greene announced a new political 'movement' with a host of MAGA renegades, including Tucker Carlson and Thomas Massie (@FmrRepMTG, X)

Carlson himself told interviewers earlier this summer that, having disavowed the GOP, he was "of course" not planning a presidential bid. Still, two people familiar with the matter told Politico that his calculus could change under certain political conditions. One unnamed source said Carlson would not run against JD Vance but might enter the race if former President Trump were to endorse another candidate such as Senator Marco Rubio.

Supporters such as Joe Kent have publicly urged Carlson to run. "All of us at one point in time told Tucker he needs to run, and Tucker's been pretty public that he's not going to run," Kent said on The Young Turks.

Some inside the White House appeared dismissive of the movement's prospects as a lasting political force. As one source told Politico, "He's not building a new party, he's building a new subscription model."

Recent polling suggests the war in Iran remains unpopular, including among many MAGA voters; a July Politico survey found support for the conflict has dropped substantially. Whether that discontent will translate into durable backing for a third party or a new political vehicle remains uncertain — historically, third-party movements have struggled in national U.S. elections.