Trump has held on to his fans, while browbeating former Republican critics into bowing meekly to his demands. Can it only be a matter of time before the rest of America buckles and puts Trump back in the White House? If the behaviour of all those who privately can't stand Trump but publicly applaud him is any guide, the answer is yes.
Love him or hate him, Trump's ability to extract obedience on the Right is an impressive power that bolsters his mystique. Right now Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News presenter, is being feted as a celebrity in Moscow by the Russian media, while preparing to interview President Vladimir Putin for his internet channel. We know that Carlson shares Trump's open admiration for Putin, has made no secret of his desire for a Russian victory over Ukraine and is the dominant voice on the Right pushing for Trump's return to power.
But what does Carlson really think of Trump? Well, privately he said, "I hate him passionately", in WhatsApp messages disclosed by Fox News before they settled their defamation trial with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million. He added for good measure, "He's a demonic force, a destroyer. But he's not going to destroy us. I've been thinking about this every day for four years." This was in 2020, when Carlson thought Trump was an election loser who was on the way out. On further reflection, he decided discretion was the better part of valour and that what was good for Trump was good for Tucker. Perhaps his America First schtick and Putin hero-worship is more genuine than his admiration for Trump, though I wonder. We can be sure the young, bow-tied Carlson never dreamed of growing up as a shill for Russia. Yet he has done more than anyone besides Trump to persuade Republicans in Congress to turn their backs on Ukraine and withhold funds for their war effort.
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