Early Life and Education of Tucker Carlson: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Tucker Carlson, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Tucker Carlson is an American conservative political commentator known for hosting Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News from 2016 to 2023. He is now the host of Tucker on X and The Tucker Carlson Show. A proponent of Donald Trump, Carlson has become an influential voice in right-wing media, often associated with Trumpism and white grievance politics. His commentary and shows have generated both significant viewership and considerable controversy.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1941: Birth of Dick Carlson

In 1941, Dick Carlson, Tucker Carlson's father, was born.

1945: Birth of Lisa McNear Lombardi

In 1945, Lisa McNear (née Lombardi), Tucker Carlson's mother, was born.

May 16, 1969: Tucker Carlson's Birth

On May 16, 1969, Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson was born in San Francisco, California.

1976: Carlson's Parents' Divorce

In 1976, Tucker Carlson's parents divorced.

1979: Dick Carlson's Marriage to Patricia Swanson

In 1979, Tucker Carlson's father married Patricia Caroline Swanson, who then adopted Tucker and his brother.

1984: Dick Carlson's Mayoral Race

In 1984, Tucker Carlson's father, Dick Carlson, unsuccessfully challenged Roger Hedgecock in the San Diego mayoral race.

August 10, 1991: Marriage to Susan Thomson Andrews

On August 10, 1991, Tucker Carlson married Susan Thomson Andrews in the chapel of St. George's School, where she was the daughter of the headmaster and priest.

1991: Graduation from Trinity College

In 1991, Tucker Carlson graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in history.

November 29, 1999: Criticism of Donald Trump

On November 29, 1999, Tucker Carlson agreed with Evan Smith's negative opinion of Donald Trump, calling him "the single most repulsive person on the planet."

2000: Capital Punishment Debate

In 2000, Tucker Carlson wrote that capital punishment "deserves more vigorous debate".

2000: Negative Publicity for Bush

In 2000, the interview with George W. Bush continued to generate negative publicity for his presidential campaign.

2000: Vote for George W. Bush

In the 2000 election, Tucker Carlson voted for George W. Bush.

October 17, 2001: Plane Crash in Dubai

On October 17, 2001, Tucker Carlson and his father were involved in a plane crash in Dubai while he was working on a story for New York magazine covering the Taliban.

2002: Carlson quits drinking alcohol

In 2002, Tucker Carlson quit drinking alcohol. He had quit smoking cigarettes a few years earlier.

2003: Opposition to Death Penalty and Abortion

In 2003, Tucker Carlson told Salon that he was opposed to the death penalty and abortion.

2003: Washington Conservatives' Suspicion

In 2003, Tucker Carlson told Salon that some Washington conservatives suspected he was "secretly liberal" because he liked John McCain.

2004: Renunciation of Iraq War Support

In 2004, Tucker Carlson renounced his initial support for the Iraq War.

2004: Expressed opposition to nanny-state regulations

In 2004, Tucker Carlson stated his opposition to what he described as "nanny-state regulations," citing seat belt laws and smoking bans as examples.

2004: Carlson's Abstention from Voting

Tucker Carlson did not vote in the 2004 election due to his disillusionment with the Iraq War and the Republican Party.

September 13, 2006: Carlson Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars

On September 13, 2006, Tucker Carlson was the first contestant eliminated from season 3 of "Dancing with the Stars", where he was paired with Elena Grinenko.

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2006: Registered as a Democrat in D.C.

From 2006 to 2020, Tucker Carlson was registered as a Democrat in Washington, D.C.

2006: End of Bow Tie Habit

In 2006, Tucker Carlson stopped wearing bow ties on air, a habit he had since boarding school.

2007: Obama Criticizes Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina

In 2007, Barack Obama was recorded criticizing the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina.

2008: Potential Libertarian Nomination and Ron Paul Rally

In 2008, Tucker Carlson was reportedly considered for the Libertarian nomination and spoke at Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic convention.

2009: Joined the Cato Institute as a senior fellow

From 2009 through 2015, Tucker Carlson was a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

January 11, 2010: The Daily Caller Launched

On January 11, 2010, Tucker Carlson and Neil Patel launched the political news website "The Daily Caller". Carlson served as editor-in-chief.

May 25, 2010: Carlson Denied Entry to JournoList

On May 25, 2010, Ezra Klein denied Tucker Carlson's attempt to join JournoList, an invitation-only liberal forum.

2010: Comments on Michael Vick and the Death Penalty

In 2010, after saying Michael Vick "should have been executed" for dog fighting, Tucker Carlson stated that he is "not comfortable with the death penalty under any circumstances".

2011: Protest outside Carlson's house

In 2011, a group of protesters gathered outside Tucker Carlson's house in Kent, Washington, D.C., to protest Carlson.

2012: Disappointment with Mitt Romney

In 2012, Tucker Carlson expressed his disappointment with Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

April 2013: Carlson Joins Fox & Friends Weekend

In April 2013, Tucker Carlson replaced Dave Briggs as a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend.

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2013: Carlson Discusses His Religious Views

In 2013, Tucker Carlson stated that he despises the Episcopal Church in a lot of ways, citing his opposition to the church's support for same-sex marriage and abortion rights.

2015: Senior fellow at Cato Institute

From 2009 through 2015, Tucker Carlson was a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

2015: Comments on Australian Gun Laws

In 2015, Tucker Carlson said Australian gun laws were "insane" and "childish".

January 2016: Support for Donald Trump's Candidacy

In January 2016, Tucker Carlson expressed his support for Donald Trump's candidacy and his positions, including the proposed "Muslim ban".

November 14, 2016: Tucker Carlson Tonight Premiere

On November 14, 2016, Tucker Carlson began hosting "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Fox News, replacing "On the Record".

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2017: Carlson's Reason for Democrat Registration

In 2017, Tucker Carlson explained that he registered as a Democrat to vote in mayoral primaries in Washington, D.C., despite disliking the party.

2017: Carlson sells his home

In 2017, Tucker Carlson sold his home in Kent, Washington D.C., and purchased another nearby.

March 2018: Criticism of Trump's Gun Control Comments

In March 2018, Tucker Carlson criticized Donald Trump for comments supporting gun control after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

November 2018: Protest Outside Carlson's Home

In November 2018, a "Smash Racism D.C." group protested outside Tucker Carlson's home in Washington, D.C., and his driveway was vandalized.

2018: Adoption of Pat Buchanan's Views

In his 2018 book, "Ship of Fools," Tucker Carlson wrote that he had adopted some of Pat Buchanan's views.

Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution

Check it on Amazon

2018: Protests at Carlson's home

In late 2018, protesters gathered in front of Tucker Carlson's home.

2019: Ownership of AR-15 Style Rifle

In a 2019 interview, Tucker Carlson said he owns an AR-15 style rifle and said "all my guns are working-class guns".

January 2020: Criticism of Soleimani Assassination

In January 2020, Tucker Carlson criticized the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, which was ordered by Donald Trump.

June 2020: Criticism of Trump's Handling of BLM Protests

In June 2020, Tucker Carlson said that Donald Trump had let Black Lives Matter protests go too far.

June 2020: Carlson Sells Stake in The Daily Caller

In June 2020, Tucker Carlson sold his one-third stake in The Daily Caller to Neil Patel.

September 2020: Carlson discusses lying on TV

In September 2020, on The Rubin Report, Tucker Carlson stated that he tries not to lie on TV, but admits he will if he's "really cornered or something", citing weakness as a reason.

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2020: Reported Vote for Kanye West

Following the 2020 election, Tucker Carlson reportedly told people he had voted for independent candidate Kanye West.

2020: Carlson Purchases House in Florida

In 2020, Tucker Carlson sold his home in Kent and bought a house on Gasparilla Island, on Florida's Gulf Coast.

2020: End of Democrat Registration

Tucker Carlson's registration as a Democrat in Washington D.C., which began in 2006, ended in 2020.

July 2021: Criticism of the Republican Party

In July 2021, Tucker Carlson told Time magazine that the Republican Party is "inept and bad at governing".

September 2022: Carlson speaks at Sonny Barger's funeral

In September 2022, Tucker Carlson spoke at the funeral of Hells Angels president Sonny Barger, quoting Barger and paying tribute to him.

2022: Carlson Purchases Second Home Next Door

In the summer of 2022, Tucker Carlson bought a second home next door to his house on Gasparilla Island, Florida.

March 2023: Defense of Trump After Indictment

In March 2023, Tucker Carlson defended Donald Trump after he was indicted in New York, calling the indictment "election interference".

April 24, 2023: Fox News Dismisses Carlson

On April 24, 2023, Fox News dismissed Tucker Carlson and the executive producer of his evening show without prior notice.

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May 9, 2023: Carlson Announces Show Relaunch on Twitter

On May 9, 2023, Tucker Carlson announced he would relaunch his show on Twitter. His attorneys also alleged that Fox executives broke promises to him.

2024: Carlson claims of demon attacks and nuclear technology origin

In 2024, Tucker Carlson shared that he believes he was mauled by a demon while he was in bed and claimed that nuclear technology was created by demons.

2024: Carlson considers a presidential run

In 2024, Tucker Carlson stated on his podcast that he would consider running for president in 2028, but conceded that he didn't think he'd be very good at it.