In a move that has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, prominent conservative commentator Tucker Carlson was spotted at the White House on Friday, attending an event with former President Donald Trump. The appearance came just one day after Carlson issued a stark warning to his followers that the United States is on a path towards a major global conflict.
A Surprise Appearance Amidst War Warnings
According to reports from the Associated Press, Carlson arrived at the executive mansion earlier on Friday for a private lunch. He subsequently decided to remain for a conference in the East Room, where Trump was addressing a gathering of oil executives. Video from the event showed Carlson gleefully clapping as the former president entered the room.
It remains unclear whether Carlson met directly with Trump or Vice President JD Vance during the luncheon. The Daily Mail has contacted Carlson's representatives for comment on the nature of his visit.
The sighting is particularly notable given Carlson's very public stance just 24 hours prior. In a video released on Thursday, the former Fox News host told his audience, "All the signs suggest we are going to have a big war soon – a big war soon. I think everyone expects that to happen. I hope it doesn’t happen. But obviously we’re moving in that direction – towards a world war." He linked this dire prediction directly to the recent US capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
Trump's Venezuela Oil Strategy Takes Centre Stage
The focus of the White House event Carlson attended was squarely on Venezuela. President Trump used the platform to outline his administration's controversial strategy, claiming it would secure $100 billion for Venezuelan oil production.
Trump asserted that American oil giants, including Chevron, would invest billions of private capital—"of their money, not the government’s money"—to overhaul the South American nation's fossil fuel infrastructure. This plan follows Trump's repeated citations of Venezuela's massive oil reserves as a primary justification for the military operation that led to Maduro's capture.
Carlson's Role and the Conservative Divide
Carlson's presence at the event is intriguing given his well-known foreign policy views. Unlike many interventionist voices on the right, he is an outspoken non-interventionist who has privately and publicly advised Trump against military engagements abroad, including in Ukraine and Iran.
His attendance suggests the White House continues to value his influence, despite this apparent policy disagreement. In November, Trump personally defended Carlson, acknowledging his long-standing support.
However, the appearance has not been universally praised within conservative circles. Laura Loomer, a pro-Israel influencer and advisor to Trump, launched a fierce attack on social media platform X. She called Carlson's presence "totally disappointing" and "disgusting," questioning why a "Jew hater and Islamic mouthpiece" was allowed into the White House.
The unexpected visit has inevitably fuelled speculation in Washington about what role, if any, Carlson might play in Trump's media strategy or as an informal advisor, especially as the administration presses forward with its high-stakes Venezuelan agenda.
