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Tucker Carlson has questioned President Donald Trump’s handling of the investigation into the July 2024 assassination attempt against him, claiming there are unanswered questions about the shooting and criticizing what he described as a lack of transparency from federal officials.
In a preview of an interview with Stephen A. Smith on SiriusXM’s Straight Shooter, Carlson said Trump changed significantly after the shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire, killing one attendee and injuring Trump and others.
“I don’t think Trump was lying before,” Carlson said. “I think something changed him.”
Carlson did not provide evidence for what he believes caused the alleged change, but he questioned Trump’s reported approach to the investigation into the shooting and said he believes more information should have been released publicly.
“I can’t think of a non-sinister reason for Trump to shut down an investigation into his own attempted murder,” Carlson said.
Carlson Questions Butler Shooting Investigation
During the interview, Carlson claimed he had pressed FBI officials for additional information about the investigation into the shooting, including questions about the gunman, Thomas Crooks.
The former Fox News host said he wanted more information about Crooks’ background, including his communications, online activity and training history.
“I pushed them really hard,” Carlson said, referring to conversations he said he had with FBI officials. “Why can’t we see this information?”
Carlson claimed Trump directed officials to stop releasing additional information about the investigation after concluding that Crooks acted alone.
Newsweek has not independently verified Carlson’s claims about Trump’s involvement in decisions regarding the release of investigative information.
Federal investigators have previously said Crooks acted alone in the shooting, though questions about the attacker’s motive and background have remained a focus of public interest.
Carlson Says Trump Changed After Assassination Attempt
Carlson also discussed his changing views of Trump, saying he once strongly opposed him before becoming one of his prominent supporters.
“I was wrong,” Carlson said when asked about his shift in views.
He said he initially viewed Trump as an outsider challenging both Republican and Democratic leadership, but argued that something changed after the Butler shooting.
“Somewhere along the line after that Butler shooting in July of 2024, he changed 180 degrees and started doing things that he ran against doing,” Carlson said.
When pressed by Smith on what caused that change, Carlson said he did not know.
“I don’t know,” Carlson said. “And if I did, I would say it instantly.”
Carlson Accuses Ted Cruz of Extremism
The interview also covered Carlson’s decision to interview controversial figures, including Nick Fuentes, and whether giving a platform to extremist voices risks normalizing them.
Carlson rejected that criticism and argued that mainstream political figures should also face scrutiny.
He singled out Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, calling him “one of the most extreme human beings I’ve ever met.”
Carlson accused Cruz of supporting policies that he said harmed civilians and later called him a “murderer,” saying Cruz had “blood on his hands.”
When Smith questioned the accusation, Carlson defended the statement.
“Well, it’s true,” Carlson said. “Ted Cruz is calling for the killing of innocents and funding it.”
Cruz has not publicly responded to Carlson’s comments.
Interview Comes Amid Broader Debate Over Trump Investigations
Carlson’s comments come as scrutiny continues over the July 2024 shooting and questions about the transparency of investigations involving political violence.
The Butler shooting investigation has been examined by federal agencies and congressional lawmakers, with officials reviewing security failures and the circumstances that allowed the gunman to access a rooftop position near the rally site.
Carlson’s comments have renewed debate among Trump supporters and critics over how much information should be released publicly and what role political leaders should play in ongoing investigations.
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