Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson (born May 16, 1969) is an American conservative political commentator, writer, journalist, and independent media personality. He gained prominence as the host of the nightly political talk show Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News from November 2016 until April 2023, where he focused on populist, anti-establishment, and nationalist themes, emphasizing immigration, cultural issues, national security, and criticism of the political elite. An influential figure in shaping MAGA media narratives, Carlson has been a high-profile proponent of Trumpism, advocating for President Donald Trump and promoting America First policies, including isolationism and criticism of neoconservative foreign policy. His commentary often stirred controversy, including allegations of promoting white nationalist rhetoric, conspiracy theories about election fraud, and criticism of U.S. foreign policy interventions. Following his departure from Fox News amid a $787.5 million settlement in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, Carlson launched independent ventures including Tucker on X (formerly Twitter), The Tucker Carlson Show podcast, and the Tucker Carlson Network, continuing to reach a large audience in right-wing media.

Born in San Francisco to a wealthy family, Carlson was raised primarily by his father, Richard Warner Carlson, a former journalist and banking executive, after his mother left when he was six. He attended elite schools, including St. George's School in Rhode Island, and graduated from Trinity College with a degree in history. Early in his career, Carlson worked as a fact-checker for CNN and a print journalist for outlets like The Weekly Standard and Policy Review. He joined CNN's Crossfire in 2000, later moving to MSNBC and then Fox News in 2009. Carlson's style evolved from libertarian-leaning to more hardline conservative, marked by adversarial interviews and opinionated segments. He has authored books like Ship of Fools (2018) and has been criticized for platforming far-right figures and spreading misinformation on topics like COVID-19 vaccines and the January 6 Capitol riot.

Carlson's influence extends through his family ties to the Swanson frozen food fortune via his stepmother, Patricia Swanson, and his professional network in conservative media. He has faced legal scrutiny, including a 2004 incident where he alleged an assault by a drunk driver (no charges filed against him), and multiple defamation lawsuits related to his Fox tenure, including from Smartmatic and individuals like Karen McDougal. Post-Fox, he has interviewed controversial figures like Vladimir Putin and has been accused of antisemitism and racism by groups like the Anti-Defamation League. Despite backlash, Carlson remains a polarizing voice, with a net worth estimated in the tens of millions from media salaries and book sales. He is married to Susan Andrews, with whom he has four children, and has been involved in ventures like The Daily Caller, which he co-founded in 2010.