Pompeo’s Prospects for Joining Trump Administration May Have Been Clouded More by Affairs Foreign Than by Tucker Carlson

American politics has shown that great care must be taken when public service and private enterprise endeavors are mixed.

Alex Wong/Getty Images
A former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, on January 30, 2024, at Washington, D.C. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Call it “Citizen Kane,” take two. The 1941 cinema classic painted a less than flattering portrait of a media tycoon modeled after William Randolph Hearst — a depiction that did not exactly get its director, OrsonWelles, many invitations to Hearst Castle. This  week, a widely circulated and somewhat noirish Wall Street Journal article put forward the idea that a former Fox News host, Tucker Carlson, “killed” the chances of a former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, joining the next Trump administration. Was that all, though?

Despite his on-air popularity Mr. Carlson was fired last year by News Corporation, the company that owns both Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. Whatever acrimony led to that split has not diminished with time — and judging by Wednesday’s article the feud has only intensified. At issue is the contention that Mr. Carlson used his influence with President-elect Trump to keep Mr. Pompeo from getting the top job at the Pentagon.

Enter your email to read this article.

Get 2 free articles when you subscribe.

or
Have an account? This is also a sign-in form.
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Advertisement
The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use