Tucker Carlson’s noticeable transformation has fueled speculation that the well-known political commentator might be using a weight loss medication. At 56, Carlson was recently photographed with Florida’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, James Fishback, in an image that quickly captured the online community’s attention due to his altered appearance. His swift and significant weight loss led to a flood of comments on social media, with many suggesting that he might be using the drug Ozempic.

“It’s the Ozempic face, combined with years of being smug,” joked one commenter. Another remarked, “Tucker Carlson, the latest Ozempic casualty!” A third user added, “Ozempic aged Tucker by 25 years, and it’s unsettling to see.” Others expressed their surprise at his transformation with explicit language. Although Fishback shared the photo to promote their upcoming January 2026 interview, the focus remained on Carlson’s seemingly aged appearance. “When did Tucker hit 80?” one user questioned, while another exclaimed, “He looks like he aged two decades overnight.” Other comments suggested he appeared unwell due to his rapid aging.

Carlson has previously discussed his health and weight changes with former Fox News anchor Clayton Morris on The Tucker Carlson Show. He attributed his weight gain to his lifestyle choices during his time at Fox News. In past interviews, he has also admitted his fondness for unhealthy American food and highlighted the dangers of processed foods and sugar addiction. On February 2, 2024, Carlson featured a whistleblower from the pharmaceutical industry on The Tucker Carlson Encounter, who warned that the drug could lead to a safety “disaster.”

Calley Means, founder of health tech firm TrueMed, told Carlson about the harsh and the potentially ‘medically disastrous’ after affects of the drug. ‘Ozempic essentially is gut dysfunction,’ Means said. ‘There are studies now saying that [the inability]… to digest food actually stays after you go off the drug. You’re consistently seeing patients who go off the drugs gain the weight back.’ Means discussed how sales are driving the pharmaceutical industry in ‘keeping patients sick.’

‘Medical schools, pharma companies, hospitals, doctors, nurses, insurance companies – they make money when people are sicker for longer periods of time,’ he said. ‘It’s the biggest target market for any drug in American history,’ Means continued. ‘Medically, Ozempic is an absolute disaster.’ Ozempic has hit America hard, with many praising the weight loss drug while others are looking on at the effects in horror. ‘Ozempic face’ has been coined to describe the aging after affects of rapid weight loss, including wrinkles, sunken eyes, prominent bone structure and sagging skin.

Endocrinologist Vinni Makin told Cleveland Clinic: ‘It’s a very common side effect because people often maximize their dose to try to achieve target weight goals quickly.’ ‘But the faster your weight loss, the more likely that your face will show signs of the weight loss.’ Makin noted that the phenomenon is not limited to the use of weight loss drugs and appears more commonly among older adults due to lower fat reserves. On social media, many have commented on the increase in dramatic weight loss seen across the entertainment industry.

Some have pointed the finger at drugs like Ozempic for the change in beauty standards creeping back to ‘heroin chic’- referring to a fashion trend displaying dangerous levels of thinness in the early 90s. Other celebs that have come under fire for dramatic and drastic changes in appearance due to weight loss drugs have included Kelly Osbourne, Serena Williams, Meghan Trainor, Amy Schumer, Lizzo, Katy Perry and Scott Disick. Daily Mail have contacted Tucker Carlson for comment.