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, best known for hosting Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News from 2016 to 2023. After his departure from Fox News, he launched shows on X and his own platform. A strong supporter of Donald Trump, Carlson has become a prominent voice in right-wing media, advocating for Trumpism and often associated with white grievance politics. He has been recognized as a highly influential figure in conservative media.

Sections (5)

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

1941: Dick Carlson was born

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

1945: Lisa McNear (née Lombardi) was born

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

1955: Sale of the Swanson Brand

In 1955, the Swansons sold the Swanson brand to the Campbell Soup Company.

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 Divorced

In 1976, Tucker Carlson's parents divorced.

1979: Father's Marriage to Patricia Swanson

In 1979, Tucker Carlson's father married Patricia Caroline Swanson, an heiress to Swanson Enterprises.

1984: Father's Mayoral Campaign

In 1984, Tucker Carlson's father unsuccessfully challenged the incumbent Republican Party mayor Roger Hedgecock in the San Diego mayoral race.

August 10, 1991: Carlson's marriage to Susan Thomson Andrews

On August 10, 1991, Tucker Carlson married Susan Thomson Andrews at St. George's School chapel. They met at the school, where she was the headmaster's daughter. They have four children together.

1991: Graduation from Trinity College

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

November 29, 1999: Carlson Criticizes Donald Trump

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

2000: Carlson Wrote Capital Punishment Deserves More Debate

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

2000: Carlson Voted 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 working on a story for New York covering the Taliban.

2002: Carlson quits drinking alcohol

In 2002, Tucker Carlson quit drinking alcohol. A few years earlier, he quit smoking cigarettes and took up nicotine gum and pouches. He also is a fan of the rock band Grateful Dead.

2003: Carlson Opposed to the Death Penalty

In 2003 Tucker Carlson told Salon that he is opposed to the death penalty as he is adamantly opposed to abortion.

2003: Carlson Said Bush Isn't Much of a Conservative

In 2003, Tucker Carlson told Salon that some Washington conservatives suspected he was secretly liberal because he liked John McCain. He added "by my criteria, Bush isn't much of a conservative".

2004: Jon Stewart Confronts Tucker Carlson on Crossfire

In 2004, Jon Stewart confronted Tucker Carlson on Crossfire, marking a debate maneuver that Lyz Lenz of the Columbia Journalism Review paralleled with Carlson's interviewing style.

2004: Statement Against Nanny-State Regulations

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

2004: Renounced Support for Iraq War

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

2004: Carlson Did Not Vote in 2004 Election

Tucker Carlson did not vote in the 2004 election, citing his souring on the Iraq War and disillusionment with the Republican Party.

2006: Carlson Registered as a Democrat

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 maintained since boarding school.

2006: Mitt Romney's health care reform

In 2012, Carlson expressed disappointment with Romney's health care reform signed in 2006 as governor of Massachusetts.

2008: Carlson Flouted as Libertarian Nomination Candidate

In 2008, Tucker Carlson was reportedly floated as a potential candidate for the Libertarian nomination in the presidential election.

2010: Carlson Made Controversial Statement About Michael Vick

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

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2011: Lisa McNear's Death

In 2011, Lisa McNear (née Lombardi), Tucker Carlson's mother, died.

2011: Protest outside Carlson's house in Washington, D.C.

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

2012: Carlson Expressed Disappointment with Mitt Romney

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

2013: Carlson's views on the Episcopal Church

In 2013, Tucker Carlson expressed his complicated relationship with the Episcopal Church, citing his opposition to the church's support for same-sex marriage and abortion rights, but stated that he stays in the Church because he loves the liturgy and likes the people.

2015: Carlson Called Australian Gun Laws Insane

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

January 2016: Carlson Expressed Support for Donald Trump's Candidacy

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

2017: Carlson Explains Democratic Registration

In 2017, Tucker Carlson explained that his registration as a Democrat was to vote in mayoral primaries, despite disliking the Democratic Party.

2017: Carlson sells his house in Kent, Washington, D.C.

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

March 2018: Carlson Criticized Trump's Comments Supporting Gun Control

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

2018: Carlson adopts some of Buchanan's views

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

2018: Protestors gathered in front of Carlson's home

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

2019: Carlson Owns an AR-15 Style Rifle

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

2019: Influence on Trump's Decisions

In 2019, Tucker Carlson was said to have influenced some of Donald Trump's decisions as president, including the cancellation of a military strike against Iran.

January 2020: Carlson Criticized Trump's Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

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

June 2020: Carlson Said Trump Let Black Lives Matter Protests Go Too Far

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

August 2020: Carlson Aired Segments Defending Kyle Rittenhouse

In August 2020, Tucker Carlson aired segments defending Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot three protesters, killing two, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

2020: Carlson Reportedly Voted for Kanye West

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

2020: Carlson Registered as a Democrat

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

2020: Carlson sells his home in Kent and buys a house on Gasparilla Island

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

2020: Influence on Trump's Decisions

In 2020, Tucker Carlson was said to have influenced some of Donald Trump's decisions as president, including the commutation of Roger Stone's prison sentence.

July 2021: Carlson Said Republican Party is Inept and Bad at Governing

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

November 2021: Daily Mail publishes emails from Hunter Biden's laptop

In November 2021, the Daily Mail published emails from a laptop owned by Hunter Biden, which appeared to demonstrate a friendship between himself and Tucker Carlson.

February 2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, which later led to Tucker Carlson interviewing Vladimir Putin in February 2024.

September 2022: Carlson speaks at Sonny Barger's funeral

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

October 2022: Tulsi Gabbard Appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight After Leaving Democratic Party

In October 2022, former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight the night she left the Democratic Party.

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2022: Carlson buys a second home next door to his house on Gasparilla Island

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

March 2023: Carlson Defended Trump After Indictment

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

2023: Release of the Biography Tucker

In 2023, Chadwick Moore released a biography of Tucker Carlson titled Tucker. Carlson provided over 100 hours of interviews for the book.

Tucker

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2023: End of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News

In 2023, Tucker Carlson's contract with Fox News was terminated, ending his role as the host of Tucker Carlson Tonight.

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2024: Carlson Dismisses Link Between Climate Change and Hurricanes

In 2024, Tucker Carlson dismissed the link between climate change and the increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, attributing it instead to abortion.