Are Tucker Carlson and Joe Kent Planning a Third Party?

 

Are Tucker Carlson and Joe Kent Planning a Third Party?

Yes, Tucker Carlson and Joe Kent are actively teasing and building a new "America First" third party and political coalition. Driven by a sharp rift with President Donald Trump over foreign policy—specifically his administration's military involvement and war with Iran—they have joined forces with other prominent right-wing figures to challenge the traditional two-party system.

The Core Anti-War Coalition

The momentum behind this third-party push solidified following a highly publicized meeting at Tucker Carlson's studio in Woodstock, Maine. The core group leading this effort includes:

• Tucker Carlson: The media personality publicly announced he was helping build a new party after accusing both major parties of funding "endless wars" and harming average Americans.
• Joe Kent: The former National Counterterrorism Center Director resigned in March 2026 over Trump's decision to initiate the war with Iran. Kent recently confirmed to Piers Morgan that this new coalition is building, explicitly stating it "certainly could" become an official new political party.
• Marjorie Taylor Greene: The former Georgia Congresswoman resigned from Congress following a falling out with Trump, and has heavily promoted the group's efforts on social media under the declaration, "The movement has begun".
• Thomas Massie: The former Kentucky Congressman lost his primary after breaking ranks with the president over foreign policy.

Why They Are Breaking Away

The primary driver of the split is a deep sense of betrayal regarding the administration's foreign policy. While Trump originally campaigned on ending foreign entanglements, his actions regarding the Iran conflict alienated the populist, isolationist wing of his base. Kent and Carlson have accused the administration of prioritizing foreign lobbies over American lives.

Current Status of the Movement

While the group has not yet formally registered a national party name or ballot line, Kent has explicitly stated that they are planning something larger than just backing candidates for the next election cycle. Political analysts note that even if a full third-party apparatus faces a steep uphill climb to secure national power, a focused "America First" minor party could heavily disrupt regional and congressional races by pulling critical populist votes away from the Republican base.