Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson says he intends to help start a new third political party, citing deep disagreements with both major parties and a personal break with President Donald Trump over U.S. foreign policy, particularly the war in Iran.
Carlson outlined his plans in an interview published July 1 by the Columbia Journalism Review, saying Democrats and Republicans are effectively aligned on key issues while failing to address the economic pressures facing many Americans.
Break With Both Parties
Carlson said his decision is driven by what he described as bipartisan consensus on war and foreign policy.
“The Democratic and Republican parties are in lockstep solidarity with each other,” Carlson said, arguing that neither party prioritizes the economic well-being of ordinary Americans.
He added that rising costs, declining life expectancy, and limited prospects for younger generations are not receiving enough political attention.
Rift With Trump
Carlson was once a close ally of Trump and met with him at the White House multiple times in January, weeks before U.S. airstrikes against Iran began. Trump had pledged during the 2024 campaign not to enter prolonged overseas conflicts.
The relationship deteriorated after the conflict expanded into a months-long war. Carlson said he has not spoken with Trump since hostilities began.
“I haven’t spoken to him since the regime-change war began,” Carlson said. “I’m not interested in talking to him.”
Carlson said he warned Trump in advance that military action against Iran would not result in a stable, pro-Western government. Trump later publicly criticized Carlson and other conservative media figures who opposed the war, calling them “losers” in a series of social media posts.
Third Party Plans
Carlson said he does not intend to run for office himself.
“I don’t want to be a candidate,” he said, but added that he plans to actively help build a third party focused on domestic priorities rather than foreign conflicts.
“There’s going to be a third party, and I’m going to do everything I can to bring that about,” Carlson said.
Carlson, 57, now hosts a weekly political podcast and remains influential among conservative audiences following his departure from Fox News. He lives in Maine and has frequently been mentioned as a potential outsider political figure, though he dismissed that possibility in the interview.
Broader Movement Talk
Carlson is not the only former Trump ally discussing alternatives to the two-party system. Former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said this week that she is in conversations about forming what she described as a more America-focused third party.
Third-party efforts, however, face significant challenges, including ballot access laws, fundraising demands, candidate recruitment, and building national infrastructure.
Recent attempts have struggled to gain traction. In 2025, tech executive Elon Musk publicly floated the idea of creating an “American Party” after a dispute with Trump, but the plan was never carried out.
What Comes Next
Carlson has not provided details about a party name, leadership structure, or timeline. Political analysts note that while dissatisfaction with the two-party system is common, translating that sentiment into a viable national party has historically proven difficult.
For now, Carlson’s comments mark a notable shift from one of the most prominent conservative media figures of the past decade, signaling growing fractures within the political coalition that helped power Trump’s rise.
Key Points at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Tucker Carlson |
| Announcement | July 1 interview |
| Main issue | Opposition to war in Iran |
| Relationship with Trump | No contact since war began |
| Political goal | Help launch a third party |
| Candidacy | Says he will not run |
FAQs
Why is Tucker Carlson leaving the GOP?
He says both parties agree on war and ignore domestic issues.
Is Carlson running for office?
No, he says he does not want to be a candidate.
What caused his break with Trump?
Disagreement over the U.S. war in Iran.
Has Carlson launched the party yet?
No, he says he plans to help build one.
Are others discussing a third party?
Yes, including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
