In an unexpected twist, conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson got a new job this weekend: Rock and roll promoter.
On Saturday night, Carlson made a surprise guest appearance to introduce headliner Kid Rock during the second night of the Rock the Country music festival in Gonzales, Louisiana.
The two-day inaugural event, held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Ascension Parish, featured a slate of country music acts including Jason Aldean, Hank Williams Jr., Big & Rich, Uncle Kracker, Travis Tritt and others.
As Carlson took the stage before Kid Rock’s set, the former longtime Fox News host lightheartedly described himself as “an unemployed talk-show host” — a reference to his high-profile termination from the network last year after a 14-year stint.
Since his Fox News departure, the 54-year-old has accumulated millions of viewers through his online “Tucker Carlson Uncensored” video commentaries on platforms like X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube.
Explaining his impromptu festival cameo, Carlson told the estimated crowd of 25,000: “I woke up this morning and I thought, I’ve got to go to Gonzales, Louisiana and open up for Kid Rock. What am I going to say?”
He reflected on the warm reception walking among concert-goers in the suburban Baton Rouge community of around 12,000 residents.
He told the crowd that the country âthey tell me about on the internet” is “f***ed up” — but not in real life.
“The country they tell me about on the internet is f***ed up. The country that I experience when I walk through this crowd or when I wake up in my town of 100 people in a rural area is a beautiful country, filled with beautiful people,” Carlson said.
Carlson said while he was walking through the crowd, this “chick gets right in my face. Sheâs got two nose rings, a cross necklace, and a Trump bracelet.”
“And she looks at me right in the face and goes ‘AHHHHHHHHH! I love you.’ And I said, ‘I love you too!’ And I meant it,” He continued. “And I thought, ‘Thatâs the America that I know!’ Little weird, slightly crazy, full of love, and beautiful. And that describes the man Iâm here to introduce.”
Like America, Carlson said Kid Rock is âboth disobedient but decent. That American would both give you the finger and burst out laughing at the same time.â
After his brief remarks, Kid Rock and his band launched into “Devil Without a Cause” from the rapper-rocker’s popular 1998 album of the same name.
The pairing of Carlson and Kid Rock was an unlikely one, as both men have sparked recurring controversies throughout their public careers – from Carlson’s brand of conservative commentary to Kid Rock’s provocative media feuds and reported political ambitions.
In a joint interview last December, the duo discussed Kid Rock’s short-lived boycott of Bud Light over the brand’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
While Carlson’s critics have accused him of promoting far-right viewpoints, he has retained a dedicated following drawn to his provocative anti-establishment persona and unapologetically America First perspective.
Take a look at Carlson’s speech —
Tucker Carlson was the opening act for Kid Rock show in Louisiana.pic.twitter.com/GNWdHWc3oC
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 8, 2024
The Horn News editorial team