In a move that caught Washington observers off guard, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson made a quiet but significant appearance at the White House on Friday. The former Fox News host was seen applauding President Donald Trump during a high-stakes meeting with top executives from America's largest oil companies, where the future of Venezuela's vast oil reserves was the central topic.
An Unexpected Guest in the East Room
The guest list for the White House gathering took an unexpected turn. Standing along the East Room wall was Tucker Carlson, a figure now more known for his occasional critiques of the MAGA movement than for unwavering allegiance. His presence marked a notable plot twist, arriving just as President Trump pitched oil executives on America's claim to Venezuela's energy future. Carlson, looking noticeably thinner and red-faced, was very much in the room where Trump promised "total safety, total security" to convince firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil to invest a staggering $100 billion into Venezuela's crumbling oil infrastructure.
Trump told the assembled executives, "We're going to be extracting numbers in terms of oil like few people have seen. Venezuela is going to be very successful, and the people of the United States are going to be big beneficiaries."
Carlson's Cautious Optimism on Venezuela Strategy
Despite a history of breaking ranks with Trump on foreign policy—including criticizing U.S. support for Israel and the administration's 2025 attack on Iran—Carlson expressed a surprising level of support for the President's approach to Venezuela. On his podcast just days before the meeting, Carlson argued that Trump's blunt focus on securing Venezuelan oil was a refreshing change.
"Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserve in the world," Carlson stated. "It's in our hemisphere. It's going to China. And how about, no, this is our hemisphere. It's going to go to us. He just said it out loud." Carlson described this directness as "thrilling" and honest, free from diplomatic fakery. He suggested on a Monday podcast episode that a "wiser approach" would be to maintain Venezuela's existing government structure while ensuring it becomes "pro-American."
Oil Giants Weigh Risks and Rewards
The response from oil executives at the meeting was a mix of commitment and caution. Mark Nelson, Vice Chairman of Chevron, emphasized his company's long ties to the region, stating Chevron "has been a part of Venezuela's past, we are certainly committed to its present, and we very much look forward as a proud American company to help it build a better future."
However, ExxonMobil's CEO, Darren Woods, presented a more guarded stance, highlighting the current challenges. He declared Venezuela "uninvestable" in its present state, saying the company expected "significant changes" to the country's legal and commercial frameworks before considering any major financial commitment. Woods expressed confidence that "with this administration and President Trump, working hand-in-hand with the Venezuelan government, that those changes can be put in place."
Carlson's physical appearance also drew attention, as he has looked noticeably thinner in recent weeks. He previously attributed weight gain to the stresses of his role at Fox News, telling a podcast guest in June 2025, "I just got fat. I mean, it's incredibly hard physically. Everything about it is the hardest job I ever had." His presence at the White House, aligning with Trump on a key geopolitical energy play, signals a potential recalibration in his relationship with the MAGA movement's core, centered on a shared vision of American hemispheric control over critical resources.
