US President Donald Trump criticized conservative commentator Tucker Carlson in a Friday interview with Jewish radio host Sid Rosenberg, saying he ended their relationship several months ago because he felt Carlson’s comments had crossed a line.
The discussion came after Vice President JD Vance said that despite political disagreements with Carlson, he still considers him a friend and would not “throw him under the bus” over political differences.
Rosenberg asked the US president about the contrast between Vance’s approach and Trump’s own decision to distance himself from Carlson.
“You were friends with Tucker Carlson for many years, and a few months ago, maybe even a year ago, you decided you were done with him,” Rosenberg told Trump. “JD comes out and says: I’m not going to do that, the guy is a good friend of mine, we’re best friends, and I’m not going to let politics dictate who my friends are.”
Rosenberg warned that the issue could become a challenge for Vance if he seeks to succeed Trump and run for president in 2028.
Rosenberg warns Vance over Carlson ties ahead of 2028
“If he really wants to win in 2028, beyond the issue of Jews with Tucker Carlson, Tucker Carlson also called you ‘the Antichrist.’ So if I’m a Trump supporter and I’m Jewish, JD Vance needs to be careful. That’s my advice to him, Mr. President,” Rosenberg said.
Trump did not criticize Vance or say that his vice president was wrong to maintain his friendship with Carlson. Instead, he reflected on his own complicated relationship with the former Fox News host.
“You know, I’ve known Tucker Carlson for a long time, and my relationship with him was on and off for years, very on and off,” Trump said. “He’s very inconsistent. And maybe I am too, but I’m telling you, he’s very inconsistent.”
Trump also described Carlson as “a fair weather guy,” referring to someone who is supportive mainly when circumstances are favorable.
He then confirmed that he had decided to cut ties with Carlson.
“Of course, I dumped him a few months ago, because I just felt it wasn’t appropriate,” Trump said. “He said bad things, very bad things.”
Trump said his decision was not primarily related to comments Carlson made about him personally.
“Not so much about me, but about a lot of other things that are going on. And you understand that,” Trump said.
Trump says Carlson’s attacks on Levin crossed a line
Trump pointed to Carlson’s criticism of conservative Jewish radio host and commentator Mark Levin as one example of remarks he objected to.
“He would attack somebody like Mark Levin, who in my opinion is fantastic, by the way,” Trump said.
Rosenberg responded that he was very close with Levin. Trump continued: “And others. And I just, personally, didn’t like it.”
Trump later described his relationship with Carlson as one that had gone through repeated periods of tension.
“I would say Tucker Carlson never really liked me,” Trump said. “I did a lot for him, in a sense, but I would say he never really… in other words, you know, with people you have chemistry, right?”
Trump then turned to Rosenberg and added: “Like I have chemistry with you. With people you have chemistry. Sometimes you don’t. And if you don’t have it, there’s nothing the hell you can do about it. And Tucker and I had a very bumpy relationship.”
Trump avoids criticizing Vance over Carlson friendship
Trump’s remarks were notable because he did not say that Vance was wrong for continuing to describe Carlson as a friend, nor did he directly address Rosenberg’s concerns about how the relationship could affect Vance’s potential 2028 presidential campaign.
Instead, Trump focused his criticism on Carlson, describing him as inconsistent, a “fair weather guy,” and someone he decided to distance himself from after Carlson “said some very bad things.”
The exchange highlighted a difference between Trump and Vance’s views on political relationships. While Vance has argued that friendships should not be abandoned because of political disagreements, Trump said that, in his own relationship with Carlson, he decided months ago that it was over.
