Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host, responded to rumors that he might become former President Donald Trump's 2024 running mate. 

Carlson, according to The Hill, did so during a recent speech that he gave at the American Principles Project Foundation's annual Christmas gala.

There, Carlson is reported to have said, in response to a question about whether he would be Trump's running mate, "God would have to yell at me very loudly."

Carlson clearly meant that "Go would have to yell at me very loudly" to accept such a running mate offer from Trump.

Background

The rumor - about Carlson potentially being Trump's running mate - comes from a recent Axios report that involves former First Lady Melania Trump.

The article, which is titled, Behind the Curtain-Exclusive: How Trump would build his loyalty-first cabinet, was published on Thursday.

The outlet, at one point, reports, "Trump talks openly to friends about several possibilities for running mate." Axios then goes on to list several possibilities before turning to "an interesting twist."

The outlet reports:

But here's an interesting twist: Melania Trump is an advocate for picking Tucker Carlson, the booted Fox News star. She thinks Carlson would make a powerful onstage extension of her husband, a source close to Trump told us. The former first lady has made few campaign appearances this time around — but a Trump-Carlson ticket might encourage her to hit the trail.

This reporting has not been confirmed by anyone close to Trump. But, it has not been denied either.

Could it happen?

Before we try to answer this question, it has to be emphasized that, in the world of politics, anything could happen.

Trump, for his part, has not rejected the possibility of having Carlson as his running mate. In fact, just last month, Trump was asked about the possibility, and, he said, "I like Tucker a lot. ... He's got great common sense."

Axios, however, claims that Trump might not be as open to the idea as he seems. The outlet reports:

The idea of Tucker Carlson has been discounted by many people close to Trump because they assume he'd never pick someone who could outshine him. And Trump's staff is convinced (correctly) that Carlson can't be controlled. But, the two men talk a lot.

Axios, however, also points out weaknesses in this theory. Whatever the case may be, the more likely hindrance to a Trump-Carlson ticket has to be Carlson himself.

People have been trying to get Carlson to run for office for some time, and he has vigorously rejected the idea, essentially saying that he is no politician. Carlson seemed to reaffirm this position with his response at the Christmas gala. Again, anything could happen, but it is hard to see Carlson changing his mind on this one.