Conservative strategist Rick Wilson, a co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, has stirred the political pot with a provocative analysis: former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson could disrupt the anticipated succession battle between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for control of Donald Trump's political movement.
Wilson's Substack Essay
In a lengthy Substack post this week, Wilson argued that Carlson's recent interview with The New York Times was not merely a media appearance but "a soft campaign launch." He contended that Carlson is strategically distancing himself from Trump and his administration, taking "little jabs at the administration" and subtly separating himself from Vance, who Wilson predicts "will inherit all the negatives of Trump's term."
The Emerging Field
Wilson suggested that a crowded field of contenders will eventually vie to succeed Trump, and Carlson understands that the race will ultimately splinter. He identified Rubio as Carlson's "main competition," drawing parallels between Carlson's media savvy and Trump's own mastery of the media landscape in 2015.
Outlining a potential scenario, Wilson envisioned Carlson announcing a presidential run in the summer of 2027, performing strongly in early primaries, and leveraging his media skills to build a formidable campaign. The full essay is available on Substack.
While Trump has reportedly sought opinions on whether Vance or Rubio should succeed him, Wilson's analysis introduces a wildcard: a non-politician with a massive media platform and a keen understanding of the populist currents that propelled Trump to power.
