The Tucker Carlson Show
The Tucker Carlson Show
April 20, 2026

Buckley Carlson: Writing Trump’s Speeches, Trump’s Shocking Texts to MTG, and the Epstein Cover-up

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Quick Read

Buckley Carlson, a lifelong Trump supporter who wrote his early speeches, details his profound disillusionment and sense of betrayal by Donald Trump, citing specific policy failures, personal disloyalty, and perceived hypocrisy.
Buckley Carlson, an early speechwriter for Trump, felt betrayed by Trump's actions, particularly regarding the COVID vaccine and perceived disloyalty to his base.
Trump's failure to address the George Floyd riots and protect January 6th protestors, coupled with his focus on personal woes, eroded trust.
The alleged cover-up of Epstein files and a 'disgusting' text to Marjorie Taylor Green were final breaking points, exposing Trump's perceived self-interest over principles.

Summary

Buckley Carlson, brother of host Tucker Carlson, recounts his journey from being an early and fervent supporter of Donald Trump, even writing speeches for his 2015 campaign, to feeling deeply betrayed. He initially backed Trump as a 'departure' from poll-tested, unexciting politicians like Jeb Bush, appreciating Trump's focus on America, strong stance against globalism, and resilience against attacks. However, his support eroded due to Trump's perceived failures in governance, such as empowering globalists, mishandling the George Floyd riots, and failing to protect January 6th protestors. The breaking point came with Trump's promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine without apology, his perceived disdain for supporters, and his alleged cover-up of the Epstein files, culminating in a shocking text to Marjorie Taylor Green. Carlson argues that Trump prioritized personal gain and loyalty to donors over his base, leading to a profound sense of abandonment among his most dedicated followers.
This episode offers a rare insider perspective on the evolving sentiment among dedicated Trump supporters. It highlights the specific actions and inactions that led a staunch loyalist to feel betrayed, providing critical context for understanding shifts in conservative political alignment. The discussion reveals a deep-seated frustration with perceived political hypocrisy, globalist influence, and a lack of accountability from elected officials, even those initially seen as outsiders.

Takeaways

  • Buckley Carlson supported Trump from 2015, wrote early speeches, and voted for him three times, facing social ostracism in DC.
  • He initially saw Trump as a necessary 'departure' from bland, poll-tested politicians, appreciating his focus on America and resilience.
  • Carlson became disillusioned by Trump's failure to effectively govern, empowering globalists like Jared Kushner, and allowing the 'Russia hoax' to paralyze his administration.
  • Trump's inaction during the George Floyd riots and his failure to protect January 6th protestors were significant points of betrayal.
  • The promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine and subsequent lack of apology, despite its perceived harm, was a major red flag.
  • Trump's alleged cover-up of the Epstein files and a 'disgusting' text message to Marjorie Taylor Green solidified Carlson's sense of betrayal.
  • Carlson believes Trump prioritized personal wealth and loyalty to donors (like Miriam Adelson) over the promises made to his base.
  • The host and guest discuss the perceived 'demonic influences' and 'sociopathic' tendencies prevalent among those in power in Washington D.C.

Insights

1Trump's Initial Appeal as a 'Departure'

Buckley Carlson supported Trump from 2015 because he represented a radical departure from the typical, poll-tested, and unexciting politicians like Jeb Bush. Trump's direct messaging on America-first policies, his willingness to challenge the establishment, and his perceived strength against widespread attacks resonated deeply.

Buckley Carlson: 'Trump represented a departure that I had never seen in Washington... The things that he espoused and talked about endlessly were things that I believed in and things that most Americans... were super attractive.'

2Disillusionment with John McCain's Hypocrisy

Carlson's early political disillusionment stemmed from figures like John McCain, whom he initially respected. McCain's grandstanding against the tobacco industry, despite its historical ties to American freedom and state investments, revealed a hypocrisy that undermined his image as a champion of personal liberty. Later, McCain's refusal to vet Barack Obama during the 2008 election was seen as a betrayal of his duty as an opposition leader.

Buckley Carlson: 'The hypocrisy, first of all, the overreach of someone in the Republican party supposedly champion of free markets and freedom and personal freedom would go after and grandstand about the tobacco companies.' And later, 'He refused to fight it. So, I never forgive him for that.'

3Trump's Failure to Protect Supporters and Quell Riots

A significant turning point was Trump's perceived failure to exercise his executive power during critical moments, specifically the George Floyd riots and the aftermath of January 6th. Carlson felt Trump did not adequately defend law enforcement, quell the widespread destruction, or protect his supporters who were later incarcerated for their involvement in the January 6th protests, despite having the 'biggest microphone in the country.'

Buckley Carlson: 'He failed to exercise his power and to quell the riots. He failed to articulate what was going on. He failed to defend the law enforcement officer... he failed to exercise his power. Trump did. He failed.' And later, 'He never once utilized that [microphone] for the benefit of the Americans who'd supported him.'

4Betrayal Over COVID-19 Vaccine and Lack of Apology

Trump's unwavering promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine, even as its adverse effects became apparent, and his subsequent refusal to apologize, was a major point of contention. Carlson views the vaccine as a 'bioweapon' and Trump's continued support for 'Operation Warp Speed' as a profound betrayal of public trust and health.

Buckley Carlson: 'Trump did and encouraged everyone else to take it and then never apologized even when it became clear that the vaccine killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world.' And later, 'Trump is completely absent shame about it. He to this day we'll still talk about the success of Operation Warp Speed.'

5Trump's Disdain and Self-Interest Regarding Epstein Files and MTG

The ultimate breaking point for Carlson was Trump's handling of the Epstein files and his treatment of loyal supporters like Marjorie Taylor Green. Trump's alleged cover-up of the files, followed by a 'ham-handed PR stunt' to dismiss their significance, demonstrated a disdain for transparency. His reported text message to Marjorie Taylor Green, blaming her for threats against her son after she questioned the Epstein files, revealed a shocking level of disloyalty and lack of empathy.

Buckley Carlson: 'It was really at that moment when that was his response to the Epstein files.' And later, 'She texted Trump and she said, 'My son is getting threats because I've disagreed with you on the Epstein files.' And Trump responded to her by text message and said, 'He deserves it. It's your fault. People are threatening the kid's life.''

6Trump's Allegiance to Donors and Foreign Powers

Carlson questions Trump's motivations, particularly regarding a $250 million donation from Miriam Adelson, a figure with 'demonstrated allegiance to a foreign power.' This, combined with Trump's decision to engage in the Iran war despite his previous anti-war stance, suggests a prioritization of donor interests and external pressures over his stated 'America First' principles.

Buckley Carlson: 'Why would someone who has obvious and demonstrated allegiance to a foreign power give Donald Trump $250 million while he's running for president? I mean, how is that defensible?' And later, 'It was the war that finally scrambled your eggs. Yes. And yes, the war, Charlie, and then of course the Epstein files.'

Bottom Line

The 'lone gunman' phenomenon in assassinations disproportionately targets figures who challenge institutional power, suggesting a pattern beyond random acts.

So What?

This observation implies a systemic mechanism for suppressing dissent against established power structures, rather than isolated incidents, raising questions about the true nature of political violence and control.

Impact

Investigate historical 'lone gunman' events for commonalities in targets and outcomes, potentially exposing hidden patterns of political suppression.

Trump's deep-seated resentment towards the WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) establishment, stemming from early social rejections, was a significant, unacknowledged driver of his political actions, particularly against figures like the Bush dynasty.

So What?

This suggests that personal social anxieties and class resentments can profoundly influence national political strategy and outcomes, often more than stated policy differences.

Impact

Analyze the role of social and ethnic resentments in political movements, particularly how leaders leverage or are driven by such feelings to mobilize support or target opponents.

The current state of American society, characterized by division, unhappiness, and perceived enslavement, is not accidental but appears to be a 'long-term plan' designed to weaken the country.

So What?

This perspective posits that societal degradation is a deliberate outcome of a coordinated effort, rather than a series of unrelated failures, suggesting a deeper, more sinister agenda at play.

Impact

Examine historical and contemporary policies and social trends through the lens of intentional weakening and division, identifying potential actors or ideologies that might benefit from such outcomes.

Lessons

  • Critically evaluate political leaders based on their consistent actions and adherence to stated principles, rather than charisma or initial promises, especially when faced with conflicting information.
  • Recognize the potential for political figures to prioritize personal gain, donor interests, or external pressures over the welfare of their constituents and the nation.
  • Question official narratives surrounding major events (e.g., George Floyd, January 6th, vaccine efficacy, Epstein files) and seek out diverse sources of information, as mainstream accounts may be manipulated or incomplete.

Notable Moments

Buckley Carlson, a lifelong resident of Washington D.C. and a WASP, supported Trump in 2015 despite his demographic being largely anti-Trump.

This highlights the unique and contrarian nature of his early support, challenging the prevailing political and social norms of his environment.

Buckley Carlson wrote early speeches for Donald Trump in late 2015, collaborating with Stephen Miller, and felt a lot of freedom to express his own aligned views.

This provides direct evidence of his deep involvement and ideological alignment with Trump's initial campaign, establishing his credibility as an insider.

Buckley Carlson's wife, described as 'totally apolitical,' expressed support for Trump at a neighborhood Christmas party in 2015, leading to enraged reactions from friends.

This anecdote illustrates the intense social polarization and ostracization faced by Trump supporters, even from unexpected sources, in liberal-leaning communities.

Buckley Carlson attended Trump's sparsely attended 2016 victory party, witnessing the transformation from doubt to jubilation and seeing Hillary Clinton's supporters in tears on screen.

This firsthand account captures the unexpected nature of Trump's victory and the emotional extremes experienced by both sides, emphasizing the historical significance of the event.

Trump reportedly texted Marjorie Taylor Green, stating her son 'deserves it' when she reported threats against him for her stance on the Epstein files.

This alleged interaction reveals a shocking level of disloyalty and lack of empathy from Trump towards a dedicated supporter, serving as a critical turning point in Carlson's disillusionment.

Quotes

"

"If you really hate Donald Trump, you're probably filled with hate for the United States. You probably hate whites. Probably anxious to give kids the COVID vax and castrate boys and put non-binary people on the swim team or whatever."

Tucker Carlson
"

"Trump represented a departure that I had never seen in Washington."

Buckley Carlson
"

"Trump talked about actually focusing on America, repairing the problems that this entire class of people had brought upon us, the American citizens."

Buckley Carlson
"

"He was very consistent about sticking up for America and Americans first and foremost and always."

Buckley Carlson
"

"When you're young, you dress yourself and go wherever you want. But when you're old, others dress you and take you where you don't want to go."

Tucker Carlson
"

"Trump is completely absent shame about it. He to this day we'll still talk about the success of Operation Warp Speed which allowed these things to come to market which allowed the..."

Buckley Carlson
"

"She texted Trump and she said, 'My son is getting threats because I've disagreed with you on the Epstein files.' And Trump responded to her by text message and said, 'He deserves it. It's your fault. People are threatening the kid's life.'"

Tucker Carlson

Q&A

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