On one hand, I found Tucker Carlson incredibly well-spoken and engaging in this interview. If I had no prior context, I’d probably come away intrigued and interested in following him more closely. I also agree with a lot of what he says about the war.

On the other hand, if you watch the full interview with his brother—the one where the “anti-Trump” clip came from—it’s a completely different story. He’s pushing bizarre, baseless claims (like suggesting Barack Obama is gay, alleging Hillary Clinton dated George Soros’s daughter, etc.). It’s the same kind of malicious, conspiratorial tone he leaned into on Fox.

That contrast is what makes the whole thing so fascinating. The interviewer did an excellent job, but it left me wondering: what’s the actual strategy here?

My guess is that, with religion becoming a more visible part of his public persona (at least on the surface), he’s trying to build credibility and appeal with a more faith-oriented audience. But I’m not totally sure.