Trump has a “supernatural component” that influences those around him and makes them more compliant, according to broadcaster Tucker Carlson, who described the experience of being near the US president in extraordinary terms during a recent New York Times interview.Carlson made the remarks in a conversation with journalist Lulu Garcia Navarro, where he discussed Trump’s leadership style, political influence and decision-making during major political moments, including the lead-up to US military action against Iran in recent months.He claimed that people in Trump’s circle often found themselves agreeing with the president’s decisions because of a powerful, almost hypnotic quality.“And I think it’s probably literally a spell,” Carlson said. “The effect is to weaken the people around him and make them more compliant and more confused. And I’ve experienced this myself. You spend a day with Trump and you’re in this kind of dreamland. It’s like smoking weed or something. It’s interesting, very interesting.”Carlson said he believes there may be a mysterious explanation for this effect, while also acknowledging uncertainty about its cause.
“There’s a supernatural element to it. I’m not a theologian, but it’s true, and anyone who’s been around it can tell you it’s true,” he said.Carlson has also criticized aspects of Trump’s approach to foreign policy, arguing that there is limited internal resistance within Trump’s MAGA circle before major decisions.He noted that the influence of the President of the United States leads advisers and aides to support his positions more easily than they might otherwise, describing the influence as “magical.”Carlson was a well-known conservative figure in GOP circles, but his relationship with Trump deteriorated in 2025-2026 due to disagreements over foreign policy. Carlson criticized the president, calling him a “freak.” Trump responded with insults on Truth Social, calling Carlson and his allies “low IQ” and distancing himself from them.