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 and conspiracy theorist. He hosted Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News from 2016 to 2023 and currently hosts Tucker on X and The Tucker Carlson Show. A supporter of Donald Trump, Carlson has been called a leading voice in right-wing media and of white grievance politics. His commentary and views have made him a highly influential figure in conservative media.

Sections (5)

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

1941: Dick Carlson Born

In 1941, Dick Carlson, Tucker Carlson's father, was born. He later became a director at Policy Impact Strategic Communications.

1945: Birth of Lisa McNear Lombardi

In 1945, Lisa McNear (née Lombardi), Tucker Carlson's mother, was born. She was an artist from San Francisco.

May 16, 1969: Tucker Carlson Born

On May 16, 1969, Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson was born. He would later become a conservative political commentator and television host.

1976: Carlson's Parents Divorced

In 1976, Tucker Carlson's parents divorced, and his father was granted custody of him and his brother. His mother moved to France and never saw them again.

1979: Father's Marriage to Patricia Swanson

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

1984: Father's Mayoral Race

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

1988: Support for Ron Paul's Candidacy

In 1988, Tucker Carlson supported Ron Paul's presidential candidacy, when Paul ran as the candidate for the Libertarian Party.

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 they met.

1991: Graduated from Trinity College

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

November 29, 1999: Carlson's Criticism of Donald Trump

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

2000: Views on Capital Punishment

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

2000: Vote for George W. Bush

In the 2000 election, 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, Carlson made the decision to quit drinking alcohol.

2003: Views on Bush and McCain

In 2003, Carlson told Salon that some conservatives suspected he was secretly liberal and that Bush wasn't much of a conservative.

2003: Opposition to Death Penalty and Abortion

In 2003, Tucker Carlson told Salon, "I'm opposed to the death penalty as I am adamantly opposed to abortion".

2004: Decision not to vote

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

2004: Opposition to Nanny-State Regulations

In 2004, Carlson said, "I hate all nanny-state regulations, such as seat belt laws and smoking bans."

2004: Renounced Support for Iraq War

In 2004, Tucker Carlson renounced his initial support for the Iraq War, adopting a skeptical stance on U.S. foreign interventions.

2006: Registered as a Democrat

In 2006, Carlson registered as a Democrat in Washington, D.C.

2006: Romney's Healthcare Reform

In 2006, Mitt Romney signed a health care reform as governor of Massachusetts, which included an individual mandate.

2006: Stopped Wearing Bow Ties

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

2008: Potential Libertarian Candidate

In 2008, Carlson was floated as a potential candidate for the Libertarian nomination and spoke at Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic.

2008: Support for Ron Paul's Candidacy

In 2008, Tucker Carlson supported Ron Paul's presidential candidacy, when Paul ran as a Republican.

2010: Statements on Michael Vick

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

2011: Protest outside Carlson's house

In 2011, protestors gathered outside Carlson's home in Washington, D.C. to protest Carlson.

2012: Disappointment with Mitt Romney

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

2013: Carlson expresses displeasure with the Episcopal Church

In 2013, Carlson voiced his discontent with the Episcopal Church's stance on same-sex marriage and abortion rights, despite continuing to attend services.

2015: Comments on Australian Gun Laws

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

January 2016: Support for Donald Trump

In January 2016, Carlson expressed his support for Donald Trump's candidacy and positions.

2017: Carlson sells his home

In 2017, Carlson sold his home and purchased another nearby.

2017: Reasons for Democratic Registration

In 2017, Carlson stated his Democratic registration was to vote in mayoral primaries, despite despising the party.

March 2018: Criticism of Trump on Gun Control

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

2018: Adoption of Buchanan's Views

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

2018: Protestors gather in front of Carlson's home

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

2018: Promotion of Populist Economics

Since 2018, Carlson has promoted more populist economics, attacking libertarianism and portraying some Republicans as "controlled by the banks".

January 2019: Criticism of Mainstream Republican Worldview

In January 2019, Carlson used a The Washington Post op-ed by Romney to criticize what he described as the "mainstream Republican" worldview.

2019: Influenced Trump's Decisions

In 2019, Tucker Carlson influenced some of Donald Trump's decisions, including the cancellation of a military strike against Iran.

2019: Ownership of AR-15 Style Rifle

In a 2019 interview, 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, Carlson criticized the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, ordered by Trump.

June 2020: Criticism of Trump's Response to BLM Protests

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

August 2020: Defense of Kyle Rittenhouse

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

2020: Reported Vote for Kanye West

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

2020: Carlson buys a house on Gasparilla Island

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

2020: End of Democratic Registration

In 2020, Tucker Carlson ended his registration as a Democrat.

2020: Influenced Commutation of Roger Stone's Sentence

In 2020, Tucker Carlson influenced the commutation of Roger Stone's prison sentence by President Trump.

July 2021: Views on the Republican Party

In July 2021, Carlson stated that the Republican Party is "inept and bad at governing".

September 2022: Speech at Sonny Barger's funeral

In September 2022, Carlson spoke at the funeral of Hells Angels president Sonny Barger, expressing admiration for Barger's values.

2022: Carlson buys second home on Gasparilla Island

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

March 2023: Defense of Trump After Indictment

In March 2023, Carlson defended Trump after he was indicted in New York, calling it "election interference".

2024: Carlson claims he was mauled by a demon

In 2024, Carlson shared that he believes he was attacked by a demon while in bed, resulting in bleeding.

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