DONKEY: Tucker Carlson Apologizes For Supporting Trump

Summary

---

Donkey of the Day: Tucker Carlson Apologizes for Supporting Trump

Podcast: Donkey of the Day (The Breakfast Club, Power 105.1 FM)
Host: Charlamagne Tha God
Date: April 22, 2026

---

Episode Overview

On this episode, Charlamagne Tha God awards the “Donkey of the Day” to Tucker Carlson, the prominent conservative commentator, following Carlson's public apology for his support of Donald Trump. Charlamagne scrutinizes the sincerity and implications of Carlson’s about-face, contrasting public remorse with previously revealed private views, and dissects both the personal responsibility and the potential political fallout.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who is Tucker Carlson? (02:53–03:40)

• Charlamagne describes Carlson as a former Fox News host, now on X (formerly Twitter), who was known as a “huge supporter” of Donald Trump throughout multiple campaigns.
• Carlson was close to Trump—attending rallies, praising him publicly (“the funniest person I’ve ever met in my life”) and acting as a prominent apologist and supporter.

---

2. Carlson’s Public Apology & Expressed Regret (03:55–04:22, 05:50–06:28, 07:46–07:54)

• [03:55] Carlson, quoted on CNN:
  “We’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people—it was not intentional. That’s all I’ll say.”
• He acknowledges both his and others’ involvement in Trump’s political rise and controversial outcomes:
  [04:11] Carlson:
  “You and I and everyone else who supported him… we’re implicated in this for sure. You and me and millions of people like us are the reason this is happening right now.”
• [05:50] Carlson:
  “It’s not enough to say, ‘Well, I changed my mind.’ … I do think it’s like a moment to wrestle with our own consciences… I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people… it was not intentional.”
• [07:46] Carlson:
  “And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people. It was not intentional. That’s all I’ll say.”

---

3. Charlamagne Unpacks Sincerity & Motivation (05:05–09:52)

• Sincerity Questioned:
  Charlamagne challenges whether Carlson’s apology is genuine, especially given private messages from the Dominion voting case where Carlson expressed hatred toward Trump (“You already said privately that you hated him with a passion.” [05:05]).
• Political Strategy:
  He urges Democrats to use Carlson’s apology as campaign fodder:
  [06:31]
  “Democrats, y’all got what you need. … Clip that up and get it ready for attack ads in all the upcoming elections.”
• Continued Alignment:
  Charlamagne suggests that Carlson hasn’t left the MAGA movement, noting his push for J.D. Vance as Trump’s running mate and saying, “Just because he soured on Trump doesn’t mean he’s jumped off the MAGA train.”
• On Apology Logic:
  Charlamagne offers a breakdown of what a “sincere apology” looks like, contending that Carlson’s is insufficient because it’s evading full accountability:
  [08:00]
  “You said in private messages you hated Trump… if you apologize, which you did, if you said sorry for supporting him, which you did, then you can’t say in the same breath, it was not intentional.”
• [08:58]
  “A sincere apology requires taking full responsibility for actions without excuses… you own the action, you express regret, you acknowledge the impact, you take responsibility, and you make amends.”

---

4. Analysis of Carlson’s Political Choices (08:00–09:52)

• Intentionality:
  “Don’t say you didn’t intentionally mislead people in regards to Trump. Because if you turn a blind eye to all of that… in order to support Trump, it was absolutely intentional.”
• Double Standards:
  Charlamagne points out hypocrisy, saying Carlson would “never support a Democrat” under similar circumstances (conviction, civil liability for sexual abuse and defamation).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:55 | Tucker Carlson (quoted audio) | “We’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people—it was not intentional. That’s all I’ll say.” | | 04:11 | Tucker Carlson (quoted audio) | “You and I and everyone else who supported him… we’re implicated in this for sure. You and me and millions… are the reason this is happening right now.” | | 05:05 | Charlamagne Tha God | “He was lying, the man. You already said privately that he hated him with a passion…” | | 06:31 | Charlamagne Tha God | “Democrats, y’all got what you need. … Clip that up and get it ready for attack ads in all the upcoming elections…” | | 08:00 | Charlamagne Tha God | “You intentionally endorsed a convicted felon of low character, as you put it… Don’t say you didn’t intentionally mislead people in regards to Trump.” | | 08:58 | Charlamagne Tha God | “A sincere apology requires taking full responsibility for actions without excuses… You have to be intentional about it.” |

---

Key Takeaways

• Charlamagne’s Main Argument: Tucker Carlson’s apology lacks true accountability; privately, Carlson despised Trump but still actively promoted him, thus making his public remorse seem hollow.
• Political Fallout: Charlamagne sees strategic opportunity for Democrats, suggesting they leverage Carlson’s mea culpa to undermine his and other right-wing endorsements in future races.
• Responsibility & Apology: Strong emphasis on what a real apology means—full ownership without caveats or excuses.
• Broader Critique: The episode serves as a critique of selective outrage, tribal loyalty in politics, and what accountability should look like from public figures.

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:53: Introduction—Donkey of the Day awarded to Tucker Carlson
• 03:55–04:22: Carlson’s apology aired and discussed
• 05:05: Charlamagne on private/public contradiction
• 05:50–06:28: Further exploration of Carlson’s regrets
• 06:31–07:45: Discussion on how Democrats should capitalize on this apology
• 07:46–07:54: Carlson’s apology repeated for emphasis
• 08:00–08:59: Deep-dive into the meaning and requirements of a sincere apology
• 09:52: Segment concludes

---

Tone & Style

Charlamagne’s commentary is direct, skeptical, and at times sarcastic. He combines serious critique with punchy delivery, using humor (“yum yum gum gum endorsements”) and pointed rhetorical questions to challenge Tucker Carlson’s credibility and the logic of his apology. The tone is both analytical and entertaining, designed to engage listeners while dissecting political behavior and media responsibility.

---

This summary covers all key points and moments of the “Donkey of the Day” segment dedicated to Tucker Carlson’s Trump apology, offering context, critique, and quotable highlights from the episode.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Shopify Advertiser]

I get a lot of questions about how I run my business and keep everything operating smoothly and the answer is Shopify. One of the biggest advantages is discoverability. Shopify puts my products in front of customers wherever they're already shopping. And for my store, whether it's a mug, a shirt or a hoodie, all the raindrops can get something special to call their own. I'm so pumped because Shopify is going to show up at our Black Effect Podcast Festival this year in a big way for all of our small black owned businesses that partner with us. Build your store, own your audience and create something that lasts. Start [e-mail] Ben, you've been working in

[Host/Interviewer]

the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running. Today, after all the hard work, y' all finally finished it. Even better. Your dad says all yours son. Yup, same car that belonged to your grandpa and that your dad helped him fix. It's yours. To really keep the tradition going, you need to get State Farm Insurance just like them, generation to generation. Remember to choose the agents that your family counted on. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is

[Podcast Announcer]

there Pressure has a way of revealing what remains steady. In the latest Nissan campaign, the Nissan Rogue was tested to the extreme to demonstrate that it's built to last through durability and reliability challenges. Inspired by real tests conducted by Nissan engineers. Brutal potholes, a steady force of water, even a jet powered sandstorm. Each challenge inviting a deeper look at how quality, durability and reliability hold their ground in real world conditions. Every test was 100% real. No CG, no AI. To see how the Rogue held up, visit nissan-duordability.com whether you're calling the wise

[Co-host/Moderator]

women in your life, video calling your girlfriends across the country, or checking in on someone who always knows how to make you smile, staying connected matters. Those small conversations, shared laughs and quick hellos are what keep relationships strong, even when life gets busy. Some of the most life giving conversations start with just a phone call. That's why AT and T guarantees a network you can rely on so you can focus on the moments and people that matter the Most. That's the AT&T guarantee. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The bunch of donkeys around here it's

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

time for Donkey of the Day.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I got the Donkey of the day. They made me the donkey of the day by the things that I said. Damn charlamagne. Some Donkey Today's just sold himself.

[Co-host/Moderator]

It was you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What accountability are you taking out of my donkey of the day on the Breakfast Club?

[Host/Interviewer]

That being said, I want to start

[Charlamagne Tha God]

off with this donkey right here. Right here. Hey, donkey. Today from Wednesday, April 22, goes to Tucker Carlson. Tucker Carlson, formerly of Fox News. We don't even have to say that anymore. He's completely carved out his own lane. He's just an American or Russian. Allegedly political commentator who hosts Tucker on X and the Tucker Carlson Show. We all know Tucker Carlson was a huge supporter of Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign and his previous campaigns. You would often see Tucker right by Donald Trump. At the Republic Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Tucker Carlson described Trump as the funniest person he's ever met in his life. Tucker said, he is a wonderful person. He knows him well. Okay? According to the New York Times, when Donald Trump was shot in the air, allegedly at a rally in Pennsylvania, Tucker was the first person to meet him. All I'm trying to tell you is Tucker Carlson was a huge supporter of Donald Trump, but not anymore. Okay? In an episode of his podcast released Monday, he seems to have severed ties with the president and says he is tormented by his past support of Donald Trump. Let's go to. What's that? Cnn. Go to CNN and listen, please.

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

We'll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I'm sorry for misleading people was not intentional. That's all I'll say.

[News Reporter]

Tucker Carlson apologized on his podcast for his part in helping to get President Donald Trump elected. During an interview with his brother, Buckley.

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

Carlson, you and I and everyone else who supported him, you wrote speeches for him. I campaigned for him. I mean, we're implicated in this for sure. You and me and millions of people like us are the reason this is happening right now.

[News Reporter]

Carlson has been publicly criticizing Trump over the Iran war. He recently called out Trump's Easter Truth Social post in which the president threatened to destroy Iran's bridges and power plants and demanded that they, quote, open the F Street. Trump later insulted Carlson, citing polling about his popularity. He posted to Truth Social saying, quote, tucker is a low IQ person, always easy to beat, and highly overrated. The Dominion case revealed that in 2021, Carlson had privately said, I hate him passionately. Still, these comments are a far cry from the 2024 election, where Carlson praised and campaigned for Trump and Donald Trump,

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

Whatever you say about him, and I think he's a wonderful person, I know him well. By the way, the funniest person I've ever met in my life. Actually, he actually cares.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He was lying, the man. You already said privately that he hated him with a passion. But listen, here's the thing. The truth is the truth, okay? If that's his truth, I have no problem with him telling the world that. Okay? We've all been there, all right? I had biased remorse over Joe Biden, especially when I realized he had no intention of being a one term president. As soon as I saw him saying he wanted to run again, I was like, absolutely not. Because this man is not going to beat Donald J. Trump if he runs again. And beating Trump should have been the ultimate priority. But that's another conversation for another day. I'm just simply saying I regretted my support of a candidate before and expressed it. So if Tucker wants to do that, good, Okay. I see people debating if he's sincere or not by humbug. Okay, listen, it doesn't matter. This is politics. Democrats got what they need. Can we listen to the clip again? Just. Just a clip of him apologizing.

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

Supported him. You wrote speeches for him.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I campaigned for him.

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

I mean, we're implicated in this for sure. It's not enough to say, well, I changed my mind, or like, oh, this is bad. I'm out. You and me and millions of people like us are the reason this is happening right now. I do think it's like a moment to wrestle with our own consciences. You know, we'll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I'm sorry for misleading people in. It was not intentional. That's all I'll say. But the question does present itself immediately. Like, what is this? Was this always the plan? You don't want to be a conspiracy nut, but, like, clearly there were signs of low character. We knew that, but it didn't. There are tons of people of low character who, like, outperform their character.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

See, it doesn't matter if he's sincere. Democrats got what they need. They should be clipping that up and getting ready to run that in campaign ads for the midterms and in 2028. Because I don't think Tucker would ever endorse a Democrat or an independent. He's going to stick to Republicans. He's going to stick to maga. Okay? If MAGA is still the dominant force in the Republican Party. Fun fact. Tucker Carlson was one of the people who wanted Donald Trump to choose J.D. vance as his running mate. So just because he soured on Trump doesn't mean he's jumped off the MAGA train. So Democrats, y' all got what you need? Okay? Tucker said he was wrong. Tucker said he misled the people. Y' all should be clipping that up and getting it ready for attack ads in all the upcoming elections, because anyone Tucker endorses that's in opposition to your party, you can just put that clip in campaign ads and say, are you really going to listen to someone who got it so wrong? Okay. Are you really gonna listen to someone who got it so wrong before? Simple way to discredit those big conservative voices that will still be big conservative voices, you know, in the midterms and in 2028. Okay. Just a little political warfare, all right? And Tucker gave you a great weapon if you clip it right. Now, listen, here's the reason Tucker is getting donkey today. He said, and I quote, I want to say I'm sorry for misleading people. It was not intentional. That's all I say. Can I hear that?

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

And I want to say I'm sorry for misleading people. It was not intentional. That's all I'll say.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Let me hear it one more time.

[Tucker Carlson (quoted)]

And I want to say I'm sorry for misleading people. It was not intentional. That's all I'll say.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, no, no, no, no. You said in private messages you hated Trump, okay? And also furthermore, if you apologize, which you did, if you said sorry for supporting him, which you did, then you can't say in the same breath, it was not intentional. Okay? See, Tucker, I'm sure, sure this wasn't your first time voting for Trump. I'm sure you voted for him all three times. You gave him full throated yum yum gum gum endorsements, okay? Don't say it wasn't intentional. There was no surprises with Donald Trump. You even acknowledged that. Okay? I understand people who got conned because he said he would fix the economy on day one. I understand people who got conned because he said he would be the anti war president. But you also knew that he led an attempted coup this country on January 6, 2021. You knew he called to terminate parts of the Constitution over his lie that the 2020 election was st. You know, you knew that. Okay, okay. You know that you intentionally endorsed a convicted felon of low character, as you put it, okay? 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. You would never support a Democrat with that. Okay? And you certainly wouldn't support a Democrat who was found liable in civil court for sexual abuse and defamation. So don't say you didn't intentionally mislead people in regards to Trump. Because if you turn a blind eye to all of that and much, much, much more. Okay, I don't have time to get into all the other reasons. I could bring it up. Bring up. But if you turned a blind eye to all of that in order to support Trump, it was absolutely intentional. Okay? So own it. Own it all. All right? A sincere apology requires taking full responsibility for actions without excuses. Okay? A sincere apology. You own the action. You express regret. You acknowledge the impact of what. Of what it is you did. You take responsibility, and you make amends. And guess what? You have to be intentional about it. Please give Tucker Carlson the biggest he ho.

[Host/Interviewer]

All right.

[Co-host/Moderator]

Thank you for that donkey today.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Co-host/Moderator]

Now, when Kenya Barris was up here, he was talking about his kids, and he's talking about. His perspective changed on some of the things that his kids were talking about.

[Kenya Barris]

Let's listen.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's something else your kids challenge you on that made you rethink your perspective?

[Kenya Barris' Child (quoted)]

Cursing. My kids. They curse. They don't curse at me, but they're like, I'm saying. Or like, you'll hear. And I'm just like, a part of me is like, I'm actually happier that they really not not being themselves around me, you know, I'm saying. But, like, I. I never would curse around my mom ever. Like, you know, cursing around my kids. Like, I'm. I want them to be more of themselves around me, you know, I'm saying, like, my sons. I've caught him a couple of times. Like, I call my, like, drinking, you know, I'm saying. And I'm like, they'll get in trouble. But I'm like, if you're gonna do this, please at least let me know what's going on. I think that for me was the difference of, like, how we grew up compared to how, like, my kids tell me the bad stuff that they do, and I kind of have to, like, eat it a little bit.

[Co-host/Moderator]

All right, so 800-585-1051. What is something that your kids challenge you on that change your perspective?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, I got one.

[Co-host/Moderator]

We'll do it when we come back.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Co-host/Moderator]

800-585-1051. It's the breakfast Club. Good morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Donkey of the Day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull Laminsoft. Don't be a donkey when you need a fighter on your side. If you're ever injured, go to Michael the Bull dot com. That's Michael the Bull dot com. And when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. It's a celebration 250 years in the

[Podcast Announcer]

making, and we want everyone in America, from Maine to Montana, from Alabama to Alaska, to be a part of it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

This year marks America's 250th anniversary, and we're coming together from coast to coast at Star Spangled Events, live performances and the largest day of giving in American history.

[Podcast Announcer]

Join the Nationwide Celebration at America250.org

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Most

[TryJoyBox Advertiser]

Mother's Day gifts end up in a drawer, but a song lives in the heart forever. This year, tryjoybox.com is giving away 1 million free custom songs to celebrate 1 million incredible moms. Just share a few memories and joy. Box produces an original track and greeting card just for her instantly. It's the most personal gift you'll ever give, and right now, it's completely free. Make mom the star of her own [e-mail] 1,000,000 songs $0 [e-mail] what if

[Cornhole Advertiser]

your next favorite hobby came with a built in crew? That's cornhole. Whether you're brand new to the game or just looking for an excuse to get outside, there's a whole whole world of players out there ready to welcome you in. Local leagues, weekend tournaments, backyard throwdowns. It's all happening near you. Find your people at your next [e-mail] events new hobby, new friends. Same you just having a lot more fun.

[Kenya Barris]

Owning a home is full of surprises. Some wonderful, some not so much. And when something breaks, it can feel like the whole day unravels. That's why HomeServe exists for as little as four nights a month. You'll always have someone to call, a trusted professional ready to help, bringing peace of mind to four and a half million homeowners nationwide. For plans starting at just $4.99 a month, go to homeserve.com that's homeserve.com not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 to $11.99 a month. Your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.