Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host known for his harsh rhetoric toward transgender people, has surprised both allies and critics by dismissing the right’s obsession with banning transgender athletes from women’s sports. Speaking at a conservative summit in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, Carlson told attendees, “Trans kids in sports is not the most important issue we face,” sparking outrage among many on the political right.
Carlson’s comments were framed as a rebuke of what he called the Republican Party’s “cultural sideshows” and failure to address larger political, economic, and global concerns. “Do I think men should be playing women’s sports? No, I don’t,” he said. “Is that the most important thing we face? No, it’s not even in the top 100.”
For a figure whose past broadcasts repeatedly targeted transgender individuals, often portraying them as threats to women and children, Carlson’s remarks have come as a shock. In recent years, he has amplified conspiracy theories about gender-affirming care, misrepresented scientific data on transgender athletes, and accused school systems of “indoctrinating” youth into gender ideology.
Transgender advocates say Carlson’s shift in tone doesn’t erase the harm he has done, but it may reflect a growing weariness among some conservatives regarding the political overuse of transgender issues.
“He spent years making our lives harder, so no one’s throwing him a parade,” said one LGBTQ+ activist on social media. “But if even Tucker Carlson is starting to realize that attacking trans kids is a distraction, maybe the GOP needs to ask itself why this has become their top priority.”
Carlson’s remarks were met with loud groans from the crowd in Tampa, with some visibly upset at his decision to criticize fellow conservatives. The moment quickly went viral, with outlets like The New York Post and OutKick covering the speech and noting how Carlson’s comments drew unexpected approval from progressives. Even the Daily Mail, typically aligned with conservative messaging, highlighted the irony of Carlson being cheered by liberal commentators online.
The push to bar transgender girls from school sports has become a rallying point for right-wing politicians in recent years, with dozens of states introducing or passing legislation that targets transgender youth under the guise of fairness in athletics. Opponents argue these laws are not only unnecessary, given the extremely low number of trans athletes, but cruel, discriminatory, and politically motivated.
While Carlson did not offer a defense of transgender athletes, his refusal to play into the outrage narrative marks a significant departure from his usual stance. By downplaying the issue’s importance, he may be signaling that even conservative firebrands are beginning to see the limits of weaponizing anti-trans sentiment.
Still, many transgender advocates remain wary.
“Words are easy. Accountability is harder,” said a statement from one LGBTQ+ organization. “We won’t forget the damage that’s been done, but we also won’t ignore the cracks beginning to form in the wall of hate. Let’s keep pushing.”
As Republican infighting over messaging intensifies ahead of the 2026 elections, Carlson’s unexpected pivot may be a bellwether, or merely an anomaly, in the ongoing battle over transgender rights in America.
