'I'm Fundamentally a D**k': Tucker Carlson Trolls Reporter With Fake 2024 Presidential Run Scoop 

Tucker Carlson admitted he is 'fundamentally a d**k' after telling a reporter he was running for President, before confessing it was a joke.

The former Fox News anchor replied to a text from Insider journalist Mattathias Schwartz, asking if he was making a bid for the White House, saying: 'Yes. Announcing Friday in New Hampshire.'

Sensing his world exclusive, Schwartz texted back excitedly: 'Can I call you? I would like to be the first with this. But I can't stand it up with one text. Let me know. A voice call would be helpful.'

Carlson then said he was 'totally kidding' and the crestfallen reporter replied 'you got me', before the divisive broadcaster confessed to what millions of Americans may  have concluded already.

'I can never control myself. I'm fundamentally a d**k. My apologies,' he said.

Tucker Carlson admitted he is 'fundamentally a d**k' after telling a reporter he was running for President, before confessing it was a joke

The former Fox News anchor replied to a text from Insider journalist Mattathias Schwartz, asking if he was making a bid for the White House, saying: 'Yes. Announcing Friday in New Hampshire.'

Insider journalist Mattathias Schwartz appeared to take Carlson's joke in good humor 

Schwartz appeared to take the joke in his stride, telling Carlson he 'can appreciate a good troll', but didn't miss the chance to get his story out one way or another.

Writing up the exchange on the Insider, he described Carlson's joke texts as 'rash messages'.

On Twitter, Schwartz said that at the time he thought they 'seemed plausible but also in need of more substantiation'.

'I think that his hope was that we would go with it and hit print based on the one text. But I don't know that,' he added.

There is an outside chance Carlson could take a shot at the White House.

Although he has never expressed an interest himself, he has regularly been touted as a potential Republican candidate in recent years.

A Politico article in 2020 said the firebrand was viewed favorably by strategists, commentators and former Trump campaign officials.

Other publications, including the Hill, the Daily Beast and New York Magazine, have portrayed him as the party's ideological successor to Donald Trump - and Carlson would likely gain the backing of supporters of the former president.

The timing and unexpected nature of his Fox departure makes a 2024 bid unlikely, particularly given that Trump is running for office again.

In a three-minute long video posted to his Twitter, Tucker Carlson announced he is 'relaunching his show' on the social media site

But Carlson might view this as an opportune moment to lay the groundwork for a political career and future candidacy.

An April poll conducted after he was fired by Fox found that 59 percent of likely US voters had a favorable view of him.

Earlier this week, Carlson announced he is relaunching his show on Twitter in a three-minute video, in which he slammed the mainstream media and said anyone who tried to tell the truth 'will be fired'. 

Sources close to Carlson have previously said he is preparing for 'war' against the network against the network as he fights to be released from his $25 million-a-year contract, which prevented him from joining rival networks or starting one of his own.