‘It’s like smoking weed’: Tucker Carlson says Trump uses ‘spells’ to make people around him more compliant

Broadcaster Tucker Carlson said Trump has a “supernatural element” that affects those around him and makes them more compliant. In a recent interview with The New York Times, he described his experience of being close to the President of the United States in an unusual way.Carlson made the remarks during a conversation with reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro, in which he discussed Trump’s leadership style, political influence and decision-making at major policy moments, including U.S. preparations for military action against Iran in recent months.He claims that people in Trump’s circle often find themselves aligned with the president’s decisions because of his powerful, almost hypnotic quality.“I think it might actually be a spell,” Carlson said. “The effect is to weaken the people around him and make them more compliant, more confused. I’ve been through that myself. You spend a day with Trump and you’re in this dream state. It’s like smoking weed or something. It’s fun, very fun.”Carlson said he believes the effect may have a mysterious explanation, while acknowledging that there is uncertainty about its cause.“There’s a supernatural element to it. I’m not a theologian, but it’s real, and anyone who was around him can tell you it’s real,” he said.Carlson also criticized various aspects of Trump’s foreign policy approach, arguing that there would be limited resistance within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” circle before major decisions are made.He said the US president’s influence makes advisers and colleagues more likely to support his positions than they would otherwise be, describing the effect as “fascinating”.Carlson is a well-known conservative figure in Republican circles, but his relationship with Trump soured over foreign policy differences in 2025-26. Carlson criticized the president and called him “weird.” Trump responded with insults on Truth Social, calling Carlson and allies “low IQ” and distanced himself from them.