Kevin Spacey, known for his portrayal of Frank Underwood in Netflix’s hit series “House of Cards,” made a surprising appearance on Christmas Eve 2023, engaging in a bizarre interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
This unusual event marks Spacey’s latest in a series of cryptic Christmas Eve videos, a tradition he began in 2018.
In the interview, Spacey, as Underwood, speculated about a potential run for president in 2024, delivering his message with the character’s signature Southern cadence. He said, “I’ve always believed that nothing should be off the table in life or in art,” and expressed a willingness to assume the “chief executive role” for the nation. His words, while fictional, seemed to blur the lines between reality and performance.
Spacey’s character, Frank Underwood, is a shrewd and cunning politician who, in “House of Cards,” rises from being the majority whip to president, often employing ruthless tactics.
The New Jersey-born actor was dismissed from the role in the show’s sixth and final season in 2018 following multiple sexual assault allegations. Spacey has denied some of these accusations and was acquitted of sexually assaulting four men by a London jury over the summer.
In this latest appearance, Spacey’s Underwood character expressed dissatisfaction with current presidential candidates and criticized the political climate, alluding to his character’s bold and often controversial actions in the show. He also made a provocative comment about his Christmas plans, involving substance abuse and reckless behavior, maintaining the controversial and enigmatic nature of his Christmas Eve messages.
During the interview, Carlson, who left Fox News in April and now hosts a show on a social media platform, appeared at times uncertain whether he was speaking to Spacey or Underwood. When Carlson asked about the authenticity of the interview, Spacey ambiguously replied, “Well, it’s probably a little of both,” further muddying the waters between fiction and reality.
Spacey, staying in character, even suggested Carlson as a potential vice-presidential candidate, should he hypothetically run for office. This follows Carlson’s own speculation about being a running mate for Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
The interview concluded with Spacey’s Underwood character hinting at running as an independent, despite being a Democrat in “House of Cards.” He lamented the current state of politics and took a jab at the eccentricities that have come close to the executive branch, saying, “You think you’re a rabbit? That’s fine. But let me tell you something. You sure as hell aren’t going to see someone walking through my White House in bunny ears and a tail unless it’s Easter.”
