Tucker Carlson reveals he's 'flattered' by rumors he will be on the Trump 2024 ticket as his running mate - but says the chances are similar to 'an asteroid striking the Earth'

Tucker Carlson on Thursday laughed off speculation that Donald Trump could choose him as his running mate for 2024, saying he was 'flattered' by the idea but considered it as likely as an 'asteroid striking the Earth.'

Carlson, 54, famously declared in a text message that he could not wait for Trump to leave the White House, saying: 'I hate him passionately.'

But the pair have since mended their relationship - and Carlson, who was fired by Fox News in April this year, said he always backed Trump's policies, and became 'an active Trump supporter when they raided Mar-a-Lago last summer'.

Now hosting a show on X, Carlson appeared on fellow conservative Roseanne Barr's podcast on Thursday, and was asked directly about the possibility of running for vice president.

'Oh gosh,' he said, and laughed.

'I put that in the category of asteroid striking the Earth.

'Good or bad: it's so far out the side outside of my control that I... you know.

'I'm flattered. You know, I've never been in politics.'

Pressed by Barr on whether he would accept, if asked, Carlson said: 'I guess I'd have to think about that.'

He added: 'I mean, I have spent my whole life looking at politicians and commenting on them and passing judgment on them, and I've never run for, you know, room mother.

'And so the idea of that is so far from anything I've ever done, it's kind of hard even to imagine.

'I certainly support Trump I'll tell you that.'

He said he considered himself a political 'voyeur', rather than a politician, and had 'never really actively supported anybody because it's not my job to actively support people I watch.'

He said the Mar-a-Lago raid for the FBI, searching for classified documents that Trump was refusing to hand over, was what spurred his support for the billionaire.

'That's just something that can't stand,' he said.

'I agree with Trump on a lot, but even if I disagreed with Trump on a lot I'd still be a Trump supporter because you cannot allow the regime the president of the United States to use the Justice Department to knock the front runner out of the race.

'It's bigger than Trump; it's bigger than Biden; it's a question of, you know, do you want to live in a free country with a functioning justice system.'

Carlson added: 'So I'm voting for Trump, and if they convict him I will send him the max donations, and I will lead protests - that's how I feel.'

Trump now seems to have an unassailable lead over his Republican challengers - despite the legal battles he faces in 2024.

On Thursday, a Messenger/Harris poll showed Trump leading the Republican primary field with 68 percent support, followed by Ron DeSantis at just 9 percent.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley received 7 percent support, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy brought in 4 percent.

Trump has not yet announced who he would choose as his vice president - Haley is considered a strong contender, as is South Dakota governor Kristi Noem and even Ramaswamy.

Asked on November 8 by podcast hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton whether he would consider Carlson, Trump replied: 'I like Tucker a lot, I guess I would.'

He added: 'I think I'd say I would because he's got great common sense.

'You know, when they say that you guys are conservative, or I'm conservative, it's not that we're conservative, we have common sense.

'We want to have safe borders. We want to have a wall because walls work.'

He then launched into a tangent on how 'the only two things in centuries to have not become obsolete' are wheels and walls.

As Donald Trump dominates the polls ahead of 2024 election, here are the former president's possible contenders for his running mate

Donald Trump is yet to win a single primary or caucus or even secure the Republican nomination vote however, his surge ahead of his rivals in the polls has led many political commentators all but certain of his selection. 

As recent polling data from Siena College and New York Times puts him ahead of Biden in four of the six swing states, it begs the question 'who might Trump choose as vice president?' 

Mike Pence is almost certainly not expected to be asked to return to the VP since he voted to certify the 2020 election results which ousted Trump from office, which has led to speculation about who could take up the mantle. 

Trump previously hinted he could be eying a more diverse running mate in a bid to connect with a wider range of voters.

However, the main criteria is someone who is unquestioningly loyal - and does not risk overshadowing the 45th president as he attempts to return to office, New York Times reported. 

Female candidates

Trump has  hinted that he is leaning towards a female running mate in a bid to reconnect with Suburban women voters.

The ex-President previously said he is considering South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, 51, as VP but has ties with a number of high profile candidates.

Nikki Haley

Former United Nations ambassador under Trump and  ex-governor of South Carolina has proved herself to be a formidable opponent in debates and on the campaign trail.

She was her state's first female governor and is of Indian descent, which could help Trump diversify his support. Her experience in the executive, particularly in foreign affairs, could come in handy at a time when there is much geopolitical upheaval.

However Haley, 51, is currently running against Trump for the nomination and her own ambition could threaten the former president, who repeatedly refers to her as a 'birdbrain'.

She has publicly criticized Trump for bringing 'chaos, vendettas and drama' to the party and called for a younger president. She also endorsed his rival during his successful 2016 run.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

MAGA cheerleader Sanders is among Trump's most vocal supporters, endorsing him in November and is well liked in the GOP.

At 41, she could provide a more youthful boost which could help the ex-president resonate with younger, female voters who turned away from him in the last election. 

But there is speculation Trump was privately furious her endorsement came almost a year after he announced he was running.

She has also been embroiled in rookie error blunders, such as the purchasing of a $19,000 lectern which presidential campaigns seek to avoid.

Kristi Noem  

Trump has previously hinted that he would go for Noem. As a two-term Governor of South Dakota she has the kind of winning streak which impresses Trump. As a Midwesterner she could also provide some geographic balance.

Noem, 51, has herself welcomed speculation she could appear on the running ticket. 

However, she is largely untested on the national stage and is linked to controversial Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski, who has been involved in a number of headline generating brushes with the law.

Kari Lake  

 The former Arizona news anchor came within a percentage point of clinching the governor's race.

Lake, 54, has mastered the kind of confrontational politics which have become a signature of Trump's.

However, she has never actually won an election and many view her as a divisive presence within the party.

Her slick on screen presence could also threaten to outshine the man whose style she hopes to emulate, which could cause fractions down the line given Trump's need to be the star of the show.

Elise Stefanik 

The 39-year-old five time congresswoman has pivoted from a Bush administration staple to one of the party's most prominent Trump supporters demonstrating the kind of political dexterity needed to be successful.

She is among the youngest of the potential VPs and a welcome contrast against septuagenarian Trump. 

But the New York native hails from a resolutely blue state and her own ambitions could eclipse that of her potential running mate.

Tudor Dixon 

Young and charismatic, Dixon is from the battleground state of Michigan and was proud to earn an endorsement from Trump during her 2022 governor's campaign.

However, the 46-year-old tanked at the polls - losing by ten percentage points which is unlikely to be look on favorably by Trump.

Her vocal anti-abortion views could also be a sticking point since they are viewed as out of touch with voters. 

Nancy Mace 

Mace aligns with Trump on many social issues and in contrast to Dixon has warned against taking too many restrictions on abortion.

Her personal politics seem fluid, she is considered moderate by some and MAGA by others.

However, Mace is yet to endorse Trump's presidential bid and vocally condemned him for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot - even calling for him to be held accountable.

Such 'disloyalty' will not go down well and is largely the reason why Mike Pence is not considered likely to get the call up again. 

Marjorie Taylor Greene

The far right conspiracy theorist would be a controversial choice but does hold sway with some parts of the party owing to her impressive fundraising abilities and commitment to Trump.

But she is viewed as a risky choice, and considered too divisive to be a credible candidate. 

Possible male running mates  

While some candidates here appear more likely than others, Trump suggested that the VP role isn't a deal breaker for most Americans.

'It's very interesting about running mates – when you get down to a vice president – they say nobody's ever made that kind of a difference.

'It's still about the person that's going to be president. It's an important decision.'

Tim Scott 

Scott is the only Black Republican in the Senate as well as one of the party's most successful fundraisers and well-liked personalities.

He often draws on his faith which could soothe evangelicals' concerns about Trump and a perceived lack of interest in their anti-abortion stance.

But the 58-year-old, from South Carolina, was previously in the race himself and said he would not endorse anyone else after he dropped out on November 13.

He is also not considered a very ardent Trump supporter. 

Marco Rubio

The telegenic Hispanic was elected to federal office before he turned 40, is open about being the son of hardworking Cuban immigrants and speaks Spanish - ticking a lot of boxes in Trump's quest to capitalize on support from the Hispanic population.

The two have had a close friendship for years, and prior to being voted out Trump was eying Rubio as a possible secretary of state. 

His cons include that he has never really lived up to the hype following his underdog Senate victory in 2010.

The 52-year-old also stated he did not want a part on Trump's 2016 ticket after withdrawing his own candidacy.

Crucially, he played a central role in a 2013  immigration overhaul effort that, even a decade later continues to rankle many Republicans.

Vivek Ramaswamy 

Trump previously stated the youthful and energetic entrepreneur would make a 'good pick' for VP.

Ramaswamy, 38, for his part has been nothing but complimentary about Trump in debates, demonstrating the kind of unswerving loyalty the former presidency seeks.

But he has little experience especially compared to his other contenders and is not polling well amongst Republicans, who have been irritated by him.

Byron Donalds

He is one of the few elected Black Republicans who has earned praise directly from Trump and is seen by many as the face of a new wave of GOP supporters.

However, he is inexperienced as a politician and had a brush with the law which Trump may be keen to avoid given his own ongoing legal woes.

Donalds, 45, is now a two-time US Congressman, representing Southwest Florida District 19, but in his youth was slapped with a bribery charge to which he pleaded no contest.

He also failed in his bid to become House Speaker against Trump-endorsed Kevin McCarthy.

Wesley Hunt

Another rising star among young Black Republicans, Hunt's tale of growing up in a house of staunch Democrats has captivated the GOP.

He earned plaudits with Trump after remaining in Iowa several days after the campaign ended to speak for him. 

At 42, his lack of experience may spook some supporters. 

Tom Cotton

The staunch conservative and decorated military veteran was previously considered for a cabinet post by Trump.

However his vote to certify the 2020 election will have earned a mark against his name in Trump's eyes.

His foreign policy stance is also at odds with the isolationist position favored by the ex-president.

Tucker Carlson

The talk show host, 54, would be considered a wild card pick, however the two have previously teamed up to undercut a Fox News debate after Carlson was dropped by the network.

But of the former leader, he once said:  'I hate him passionately' in a text message.

Carlson also threatens to outshine Trump and could be viewed as too divisive.