Tucker Carlson's appearance in Iowa last week looked like a presidential run, walked like a presidential run and quacked like a presidential run.
The Fox News host was the keynote speaker at the Family Leadership Summit, a gathering of more than 1,800 religious conservatives in Des Moines, Iowa, which every four years is the first state to have a say in picking the Republican presidential nominee.
It was at the same forum in the same state seven years ago that businessman and reality TV star Donald Trump spoke to an audience.
Carlson, 53, another political neophyte and media celebrity, has been touted as a potential Trump heir who might launch a bid for the White House by stoking the same flames of populism and white identity politics.
The New York Times has described Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News as "what may be the most racist show in the history of cable news". It is also the most highly rated in prime time.
Carlson describes white supremacy as a "hoax" but has become a prominent conduit for its talking points. He has promoted the far-right "great replacement" theory, which holds that western elites are importing immigrant voters to usurp white people.
This story is from the July 22, 2022 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
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This story is from the July 22, 2022 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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