Tucker Carlson's takedown of Ted Cruz might be the opening of the 2024 campaign
![Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VPV2bRYKuePdS7hrEM348M-415-80.jpg)
Did we just witness the first GOP primary debate of the 2024 election?
After losing the Republican primary nomination to Donald Trump in 2016, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) pretty clearly fancies himself the next man up for his party. Last month he pointed out that historically, "the runner-up is almost always the next nominee," citing the histories of Ronald Reagan, John McCain, and Mitt Romney. Cruz is clearly eager to be heir to that tradition.
But he didn't look very presidential Thursday night, when he went on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show to abjectly beg forgiveness from conservatives for characterizing the Jan. 6 insurrection as a terrorist attack. Instead, the alpha onscreen was Tucker, who spent much of the segment chastising — humiliating — the senator. People noticed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Tucker could definitely win a Republican nomination," Jamelle Bouie, the New York Times columnist, wrote on Twitter.
"One of these two recently described themselves as well-positioned to be a future R presidential nominee," added the Times' Maggie Haberman. "Which of the two do you think actually is?"
Carlson "has an extremely popular show that's entirely devoted to shamelessly owning the libs," chimed in Substacker Aaron Rupar. "This makes him a frontrunner to become the Republican nominee for president."
This isn't entirely idle speculation. While the betting money is that Trump tries again for the White House in 2024, it's not a sure thing. And while Carlson has denied interest in running for the GOP nomination, Republicans are clearly interested in him. "If he has political ambitions, he has an opening," National Review's Rich Lowry said in July. "He has a following and a taste for controversy. He's smart, quick on his feet, and personable. Political experience matters less than it once did."
Indeed, Trump proved that political experience might actually be a drawback for prospective Republican presidential contenders. The former president didn't bring any governing experience to the White House, but he did bring a substantial showbiz background. Then he governed like an entertainer. The GOP base loved him for it.
That makes Carlson an obvious heir. And his Fox News show doesn't just give him a platform to own the libs — it also provides a great opportunity to dispatch any potential rivals for the GOP nomination. Which means that folks like Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) might want to carefully consider any future invitations to go on Carlson's show. Ted Cruz's presidential ambitions took a body blow on Thursday night. Tucker might just be getting started.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Twisters review: 'warm-blooded' film explores dangerous weather
The Week Recommends The film, focusing on 'tornado wranglers', stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell
By The Week UK Published
-
The US presidents who decided not to run for a second term
The Explainer Joe Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign was shocking, but there's a long history of presidents who've bowed out on a chance at four more years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - July 25, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - a new forecast, an old bumper sticker, and more
By The Week US Published
-
ICJ ruling: will 'damning verdict' stop Netanyahu?
Talking Point The UN's top court has ruled Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories breaks international law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
How Biden's enablers may have delayed his bowing out
Talking Points Joe Biden's inner circle faces calls for a reckoning for allegedly shielding the president — and the public — from questions of aging and electoral viability
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The Democrats 'resigned to a second Trump presidency'
Talking Points Did the assassination attempt end Biden's election chances?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Venezuela election: first vote in a decade offers hope to poverty-stricken nation
The Explainer Nicolás Maduro agreed to 'free and fair' vote but poor polling and threat of prosecution pushes disputed leader to desperate methods
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Are down-ticket Democrats doomed?
Talking Points President Joe Biden's refusal to step back from his reelection campaign has some local Democrats wondering if their own races are in trouble — but not everyone is worried
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published