familiar

This week Tucker Carlson apologized for unintentionally “misleading” voters into supporting President Trump’s return to the White House. The apology came days after the president called Carlson dumb and overrated on social media. We’ve seen this plot before: It’s a different name but the same story.

Recall the president’s first term was closely shadowed by high-profile breakups from loyalists who disagreed with him on matters of substance. For example, the split with his first Defense secretary, James Mattis, began in 2017 when Mattis, a man who spent more than four decades in uniform, defended the importance of NATO. His successor, Mark Esper, found himself at odds with the president for refusing to use the military on citizens. On his way out the door, Esper told the country that if his replacement was “a real ‘yes man’ … then God help us.”

Some of the highlights from Trump’s second term include squabbles with his biggest donor, Elon Musk, who was upset the president wasn’t lowering the national debt enough; with former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene because millions of Americans faced losing health insurance; and with Rep. Thomas Massie for having the audacity to seek justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex-trafficking operation.

Now it appears it’s Carlson’s turn. He, like Pope Leo XIV and many of our allies and nearly 70% of Americans, disapproves of the president’s handling of the war in Iran. On a recent episode of the Carlson podcast, the former Fox News host invited his brother Buckley, himself a former Trump speechwriter, on the show to discuss their buyer’s remorse.

Everyone has that line they won’t cross for the president.

Omarosa Manigault Newman left reality TV to advise Trump. She followed him to the White House, found out there was a lot of racism over in MAGA land, and ended up back on reality TV. For Mattis, it was abandoning our allies. For Esper, it was shooting protesters.

For Carlson, it’s Iran. Candidate Trump campaigned on ending endless wars. This week, Trump said there’s no timeline for when the war he started with Iran will end.

“I do think it’s like a moment to wrestle with our own consciences,” Carlson told his brother. “We’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people.”

Now before Tucker’s apology, Buckley defended his initial support of Trump’s candidacy in 2015 — despite “all of his obvious foibles and his disgusting elements of his personality” — in part because “he built things.” Buckley also said that after the election of President Obama, white Americans in Washington were subjugated by a version of Jim Crow in education and society, and that progressives “would look blank or angry” whenever he asked what Obama was doing to strengthen the nation.

In other words, being red in the face over Trump did not turn the Tucker boys blue. In fact, the episode ended with the two calling the left a bunch of “lunatics,” even after listing the ways the Trump administration was holding back release of the Epstein files and hurting the country.

“Demonic influences concentrate on those who have power. Beware of power,” Tucker warned listeners halfway through the show before his brother chimed in: “And those who seek power.”

Of course, Trump’s ascension to the White House wasn’t solely based on the contributions of media folks. The president entered 2015 having been a public figure for more than 30 years. He’s had the luxury of criticizing elected officials and legislation on camera without the burden of governing for much of that time. When he entered the political arena, he didn’t have a record to defend. He likes being quotable, not being held accountable. That’s why it’s doubtful he would have been elected a second time if not for the support from unscrupulous podcasters masquerading as political journalists such as Joe Rogan, Theo Von and Andrew Schulz, who less than a year ago said everything Trump “campaigned on, I believed he wanted to do. And now he’s doing the exact opposite thing.… I voted for none of this.”

As if “this” had not been clearly spelled out in the pages of Project 2025 for all to see before deciding whether to vote for Trump and that agenda.

Schulz, the comedian and podcaster, might not have read that outline, but Tucker Carlson probably did. That’s why his apology to listeners — like the mea culpas from the discarded loyalists of the past — ultimately won’t mean anything to mainstream Republicans or MAGA. Those who identify with the latter listen only to Trump. As for the former — they have always known that people like Carlson don’t regret supporting Trump. They regret falling out of favor.

YouTube: @LZGrandersonShow

The new Channel 4 series follows talented singer from across the country as they compete for a chance to perform at one of London’s most iconic venues

Channel 4 viewers have worked out why brand new series Your Song seems so familiar after just one episode.

The singing competition made its anticipated debut on Sunday (April 12) 12, hosted by beloved presenter Alison Hammond. The series gives ordinary people from across Britain the chance to perform a special song on a stage in front of their hometowns.

Whether it’s a track that ushered them through heartbreak or an original tune that reminds them of their loved ones, the singers are given the opportunity to share their stories through music.

Pop stars Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder act as the contestants’ mentors, judging their performances in a hidden location away from the crowds. The winner will ultimately perform on stage at London’s Hackney Empire.

But it wasn’t the singers who caught viewers’ attention during the series premiere. Fans were quick to note that Your Song has a very similar format to The Piano, another talent show by the network.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan penned: “This is giving a cross between The Voice and the Piano. #YourSong.”

Another agreed: “So new #YourSong is just the amazing #Piano series but without the piano??? Think I’d rather have The Piano as used to host and judges etc….but will give this a go ..let’s see.”

Someone else, who was a fan of The Piano, added: “#YourSong I watched all of The Piano episodes. Not sure I’ll stick with this though but I’ll see what the first few singers are like..”

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and pianist Lang Lang, the series similarly features amateur musicians, although they perform pieces on a piano. The judges also observe the contestants from a nearby room, before selecting finalists for a major end-of-show concert.

Despite spotting the similarities, however, some fans have shared positive reviews of the new show. “The singers on this are quite good tbf,” wrote one, with another adding: “What a performance from Elliott.”

Elliott, 17, was one of the first performers of the competition. He hails from Liverpool, which was the show’s very first stop. There, singers performed everything from chart-toppers from Sam Fender to original songs.

They also opened up about how each tune carried them through difficult times, which left the judges visibly moved.

Your Song is available to stream on Channel 4