Tucker Carlson says stigma around backing Trump ‘disappearing fast’

Former television host Tucker Carlson said the social stigma around backing former President Donald Trump in polite society is “disappearing fast” following his reaction to Saturday’s assassination attempt.

“The big change in the last week is that the social sanction levied against people for supporting Trump is disappearing fast,” Carlson said at a Heritage Foundation event outside the Republican National Convention. “One of the reasons this was such a divided country is that people were not allowed, normal white-collar professionals were not allowed to even consider the possibility that Trump might be less than Hitler. And now I think they can.”

Tucker, speaking to Heritage President Kevin Roberts, said Trump’s instincts and bravery after the shooting, coupled with President Joe Biden’s weak leadership, have allowed highly educated professionals to say openly that they support Trump.

“Elon Musk just endorsed him. I think he’s the country’s largest government contractor, a guy with an awful lot to lose,” Carlson said. “That guy just endorsed Trump publicly about five minutes after the shooting. That is a watershed.”

Carlson also pointed to Wall Street billionaire and former Obama ally Bill Ackman endorsing Trump as evidence of the phenomenon.

Ackman, in a lengthy X post, referenced the social stigma himself in explaining his endorsement.

“Today, when one announces an intention to support Trump, Biden supporters who know me tend to assume that I have lost it,” Ackman wrote. “I assure you that I have made this decision carefully, rationally, and by relying on as much empirical data as possible.”

Tucker, while joking that at times Trump is “half-insane,” said the former president’s bravery in the moment showcased a form of calm leadership that he compared to that of a strong father.

“The message of strength is what Trump displayed on Saturday. And people’s reaction to it is amazing,” Carlson said. “They instantly calmed down. ‘Dad’s home, everything is OK.’ It’s received on a visceral level.”

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Following the shooting, Trump insisted on walking off the stage under his own power and did not leave until pumping his fist in the air and appearing to mouth the word “fight” several times, drawing wild cheers from the crowd.

“Bravery is the essential quality,” Carlson said, adding later, “The only thing that works is bravery.”