Tucker Carlson sparked controversy yesterday after repeating the US President’s baseless accusations of voter fraud as the election goes down to the wire.
Mr Carlson, a Fox News host, has cut a divisive figure in the US for years.
While he has been criticised for controversial comments and even accused of racism by politicians on the left, his shows have received high ratings with millions tuning in.
Experts also say that Mr Carlson has used his media platform to garner significant influence in the Republican Party.
This led to speculation that he could take the reins as the party’s nominee in 2024 if President Trump loses to Mr Biden in this election.
Luke Thompson, a Republican strategist, lauded Mr Carlson as a ” talented communicator with a massive platform” in an interview with Politico earlier this year.
He added: “I think if he runs he’d be formidable.”
Rich Lowry, editor of the conservative National Review, said earlier this year that “no one can dismiss this and say it’s completely implausible”.
Mr Lowry highlighted the huge influence the journalist has within Republican circles.
He also argued that Mr Carlson would be favourite to run if he did choose to do so.
Mr Lowry said: “There is at the very least a significant faction within the Republican Party that [Mr Carlson] has a huge stake in and arguably leadership over.
“If he has political ambitions, he has an opening. He has a following and a taste for controversy. He’s smart, quick on his feet and personable. Political experience matters less than it once did.”
Sam Nunberg, a former top political aide to Mr Trump who knows Mr Carlson, echoed this sentiment.
He said: “Let me put it this way: If Biden wins and Tucker decided to run, he’d be the nominee.”
But Mr Nunberg said he doesn’t believe Mr Carlson will run because “he’s so disgusted with politicians”.
In August, Mr Carlson said he would not run for President as speculation around a move into politics grew.
The Fox News host told Mediaite’s The Interview podcast that he had “never wanted to be involved” in a move for the presidency, adding that it was “hard to imagine” a country where he would be considered a serious candidate.
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With President Trump’s place in the White House looking precarious, US politics expert Professor Stephen Burman said the Republicans opting for a celebrity figure in 2024 cannot be ruled out.
He told Express.co.uk: “The Republicans will need a candidate who is moderate, and also articulate in espousing in a conservative policy. They’ll also need to be able to throw red meat to the base, however.
“A kind of Ted Cruz or Tom Cotton figure seems more likely.
“I certainly don’t rule out the possibility of a celebrity becoming the candidate. The days when presidential candidates have to have legislative experience are gone.
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“The way the media is, political communication, celebrities can come straight through.
“Oprah Winfrey’s on the one side and Tucker Carlson’s on the other. The world has changed in that respect but it’s impossible to predict.
“There are no longer those barriers. Reagan was a celebrity politician, but he had to be governor of California first.
“You don’t have to do that anymore. Politics has changed. It is a real phenomenon.”