Fact-Check: Is Tucker Carlson Going to be Trump’s Press Secretary?

An alleged statement from President-elect Donald Trump’s team claiming that Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host and conservative pundit, has been appointed as White House press secretary circulated widely on social media platforms like X on Wednesday.
Following Trump’s recent wave of Cabinet appointments this week, the alleged statement prompted mixed reactions online. Many took to search engines for confirmation, while some users on X questioned the authenticity of the announcement.
The Claim
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), following Trump’s wave of Cabinet announcements, a purported statement mimicking the language of previous official announcements claimed that Tucker Carlson had been appointed as the new White House press secretary.
“Tucker has a distinguished career in traditional and broadcast media, and despite being a lifelong journalist, is a true American Patriot,” reads the purported statement, which has been shared thousands of times on X.
The Facts
As of November 13, 2024, no official confirmation has been provided by President-elect Trump’s transition team regarding Tucker Carlson’s appointment as White House press secretary. Trump has not announced this on Truth Social, X, or through press emails, the channels he has consistently used for other appointments and official updates.
Journalist Curt Mills addressed the rumors on social media, calling the circulating statement about Carlson’s appointment “FAKE.” Mills added that a playful, boilerplate message from Carlson’s network may have sparked confusion, leading some users to interpret it as an official announcement.
Tucker Carlson, well-known for his time at Fox News and his support for Trump, has not publicly suggested that he would assume the role of White House press secretary. Furthermore, no credible news sources have reported or verified his appointment, suggesting that the claim may stem from misinformation rather than fact.
Meanwhile, within Trump’s campaign, reports suggest that Karoline Leavitt is widely viewed as the frontrunner, having served as the campaign’s top spokesperson and messenger. Other potential candidates include Steven Cheung, Trump’s 2024 campaign strategist, and Alina Habba, who gained public prominence during Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York.
Newsweek has reached out to Trump’s team for comment.
The Ruling
False. There is no verified information or official announcement confirming Tucker Carlson’s appointment as President-elect Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary. The claims circulating online appear to be unfounded rumors without credible basis, with none of Trump’s official campaign channels announcing the news.
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek