Tucker Carlson goes unscripted for Republican National Convention speech: Watch
Political commentator Tucker Carlson took the podium at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday to say that GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump is anything but selfish
The former Fox News anchor shared a conversation he had with Trump after the Saturday assassination attempt at the Pennsylvania rally, when the former president told Carlson he was amazed that the crowd did not run.
"The first thing I thought was well, of course, they didn't run. His courage gave them heart. A leader's courage gives courage to his people," Carlson said. "The second thing I thought was, 'This is the selfish guy I've been hearing about for nine years?'"
Carlson was a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump on his Fox News show "Tucker Carlson Tonight," which he hosted for several years before his contract was terminated in 2023.
His recent history with Trump has been more complicated: texts revealed as part of defamation suit filed against Fox News by Dominion Voting Systems over reporting following 2020 presidential election showed Carlson criticizing the former president. However, Carlson told WABC he explained the texts to Trump, and they currently appear to be getting along.
The Republican National Convention is in Milwaukee through Thursday where former President Donald Trump on Thursday will formally accept the party’s nomination for the 2024 Election.
USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network have more than 60 journalists on the ground in Milwaukee and you can follow along with our live blog for updates throughout the day.
More: RNC 2024 live updates: Trump expected to reveal VP pick in the wake of stunning shooting
What to know about Tucker Carlson
Who he is: American conservative political commentator who was the host of "Tucker Carlson Tonight," a popular conservative talk show on Fox News, from 2016 until his contract was terminated in 2023. He now has his own streaming service, the Tucker Carlson Network.
What role he plays: Conservative commentator
Key quote: "Everything else about Trump aside, he actually cares because he's interested in the people who live here because that's his job. A father's job [and] his duty is to his family. An officer's duty is to his men. A president's duty is to his citizens, and he seems to be the only one who thinks that."
When and where is the Republican National Convention?
The Republicans' convention will take place over four days, from July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, will be the main venue for the RNC.
There also will be events at the nearby University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center.
More: When is the 2024 RNC? Full week schedule, dates, times, where to watch and livestream
How can you watch the event and stay up-to-date on convention news?
USA TODAY is streaming the RNC from start to finish, and you can watch it here starting Monday, July 15:
Updates from the RNC will be available at gopconvention2024.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tucker Carlson's speech at the RNC Thursday night: Watch
