In Trump's footsteps Does Carlson want to be president?

He entered to rapturous applause, flattered his hosts shamelessly, told them about his political vision and sold them merchandise bearing his name.

- David Smith

Tucker Carlson's appearance in Iowa last week looked like a presidential run, walked like a presidential run and quacked like a presidential run.

The Fox News host was the keynote speaker at the Family Leadership Summit, a gathering of more than 1,800 religious conservatives in Des Moines, Iowa, which every four years is the first state to have a say in picking the Republican presidential nominee.

It was at the same forum in the same state seven years ago that businessman and reality TV star Donald Trump spoke to an audience.

Carlson, 53, another political neophyte and media celebrity, has been touted as a potential Trump heir who might launch a bid for the White House by stoking the same flames of populism and white identity politics.

The New York Times has described Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News as "what may be the most racist show in the history of cable news". It is also the most highly rated in prime time.

Carlson describes white supremacy as a "hoax" but has become a prominent conduit for its talking points. He has promoted the far-right "great replacement" theory, which holds that western elites are importing immigrant voters to usurp white people.