Buckley Carlson Exits Vice President Vance's Press Team Amid Escalating Feud
Buckley Carlson, the son of prominent US political commentator Tucker Carlson, has officially stepped down from his role within Vice President JD Vance's press team. This departure occurs against a backdrop of intensifying public disputes between his father and President Donald Trump, marking a significant development in the ongoing political drama.
Timing Coincides with Public Clashes
According to a report from Politico, Buckley Carlson, who had been serving as Vance's deputy press secretary since the commencement of the Trump administration's second term, is now pursuing opportunities to establish his own political consulting firm. An official from the Vice President's office confirmed that Buckley initially communicated his intention to leave the position in December of the previous year. The official noted that Buckley expressed a desire to remain longer to facilitate a seamless transition for the team.
However, the timing of this exit appears notably convenient, as it aligns with President Trump's continued public criticism of Tucker Carlson. The former Fox News personality has been openly critical of the president and his administration, particularly regarding the handling of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Roots of the Tucker-Trump Conflict
The friction between Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump has been escalating over recent months. In late February, Tucker actively discouraged President Trump from launching attacks on Iran prior to the outbreak of war. He reportedly engaged in multiple meetings with the president in the Oval Office in an effort to dissuade him from military action.
The conflict reached a new peak on Easter morning when Tucker Carlson publicly condemned President Trump for a profanity-laced message directed at Iran on Truth Social. "How dare you speak that way on Easter morning to the country? Who do you think you are? You're tweeting out the f-word on Easter morning," Tucker stated during an April 6 episode of his podcast. He further criticized the president for what he described as mocking the religion of Iran with a "Praise be to Allah" signoff, asserting that no decent person mocks other people's religions.
Tucker Carlson also expressed strong disapproval of President Trump's use of AI-generated social media posts, including one that appeared to depict the president as Jesus Christ. "It's mockery," Tucker declared. "He's mocking Jesus. He's making fun of Christianity."
Trump's Retaliation and Personal Insults
President Trump has not remained silent in the face of these criticisms. In a Truth Social post on a recent Friday, he launched a personal attack, writing: "Tucker is a Low IQ person. Always easy to beat, and highly overrated!!!" This insult is one Trump has frequently deployed against various political opponents, including figures like Gavin Newsom, Jasmine Crockett, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Earlier in April, Trump expanded his critique, likening Tucker Carlson to other critics such as Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, accusing them all of possessing low IQs. "They're stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!" he ranted in an April 9 post. Trump specifically targeted Tucker, suggesting he "couldn't even finish College, he was a broken man when he got fired from Fox, and he's never been the same," and recommended he "should see a good psychiatrist!"
Tucker Carlson's Response and Sympathy
In response to President Trump's social media tirade, Tucker Carlson expressed a mixture of horror and sympathy. He stated he was "horrified" by the president's declaration that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if Iran did not agree to a deal. Speaking to Newsmax, Tucker remarked, "I've always liked Trump and still feel sorry for him, as I do for all slaves." He elaborated further, suggesting that Trump is constrained by external forces and unable to make independent decisions, describing the situation as "awful to watch."
The departure of Buckley Carlson from the Vice President's press team underscores the personal and professional ramifications of this high-profile feud. As both Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump continue their public exchanges, the political landscape remains charged with tension, reflecting deeper divisions within conservative circles. The development highlights how familial connections and political loyalties are being tested in an era of intense media scrutiny and partisan conflict.
