Putin: The World’s Most Popular Leader? Carlson Thinks So

Funny enough, I didn’t expect to spend my morning reading about global popularity contests for heads of state, but here we are. According to Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin is the most popular leader in the world. Yep. That’s the headline, and it kind of makes you pause—especially if you’ve been scrolling through Twitter lately.

Popular Where, Exactly?

Carlson’s take is specific: outside Western Europe, Canada, and the so-called “Anglo-sphere,” he claims it’s almost impossible to find someone who doesn’t like Putin. Let’s be real—there’s always going to be a counterpoint—but the idea here is that Putin resonates with a huge swath of the globe because he prioritizes his country’s interests over… well, himself. Carlson frames it as a kind of contrast with Western leaders, suggesting that, in the West, the country often seems secondary to personal agendas or political optics.

I can’t help but chuckle thinking about this. Imagine a world map with Putin in red ink, and everywhere else muted gray, while Tucker Carlson gives him a big gold star. It’s dramatic, but Carlson argues there’s method to the madness.

Putin Likes the West… Really?

One of the more surprising points Carlson made came from his interview with Putin in February 2024. Apparently, the Russian president “actually likes the West”—maybe more than anyone who might replace him would. Funny, right? Given everything we hear about the Cold War vibes, sanctions, and political posturing, it’s almost like hearing your neighbor complain about the city while secretly loving their skyline at night.

Carlson frames Putin as a leader who blends pragmatism with national pride, and he sees that as the source of global admiration. According to Carlson, this is part of why the West “hates it so much.” Russia, he says, is experiencing a “spiritual revival” with prosperity, purpose, and self-worth, while Western nations are allegedly in a “decline phase.” That’s a bold claim, and it’s easy to see why it makes some people uncomfortable.

The Western Reaction

Carlson’s analysis doesn’t stop at popularity. He also argues that Western leaders are failing their people and redirecting public anger toward Putin instead. Germany, he suggests, attacks Putin not because of what he does personally, but to distract citizens from domestic challenges like migration and economic strain.

I have to admit, there’s something almost Shakespearean about the scenario: the West pointing fingers at the East, while quietly worrying about its own stage. It’s messy, political theater at its finest, and Carlson is not shy about pointing it out.

Bottom Line

Whether you buy Carlson’s take or not, it’s worth thinking about the idea that popularity isn’t just about power—it’s about perceived integrity, national identity, and the ability to make people feel like their country comes first. Putin’s image abroad, according to Carlson, is fueled by that narrative. Meanwhile, Western leaders continue to struggle with domestic discontent, economic pressure, and the optics of their own choices.

At the end of the day, calling someone the “most popular leader in the world” is tricky. Popular with whom? Popular for what? But Carlson’s framing makes it clear: in his eyes, Putin has tapped into a combination of national pride, cultural identity, and strategic positioning that gives him an edge—at least in perception, if not in global policy consensus.

It’s the kind of argument that will make you nod, shake your head, or maybe do both at the same time. Funny enough, politics often works that way—confusing, contradictory, and endlessly fascinating.