Utah entertainer Jason Hewlett found himself immersed in controversy after he performed on Tucker Carlson’s Tour Across America.

Hewlett opened for 14 shows, and although politics had never played into his career before, he faced an intense backlash.

“I lost multiple gigs, dates that were holds for the future,” he told Lee Benson. “I was unfriended, I lost followers, friends and fans. I was written off by a lot more people when I announced I was doing the show on Halloween night, because they thought I was just doing the Tucker tour but now I was actually endorsing Trump.”

The experience gave Hewlett an insight into how Trump won the 2024 election. On the tour, Hewlett saw an America that was desperate for a change, and he believed a “silent majority” would elect Trump.

Read more about the price of performance and Hewlett’s experience in the conservative orbit. 

More in Utah

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• Parking shortages, booted cars, over-occupancy among woes from Vineyard’s ‘growing pains’ (KSL)
• High-speed chase ends search for girl sought in Amber Alert (KSL)
• 3 dead after multiple shootings in Salt Lake City overnight (ABC4)
• Questions raised over cost, effectiveness of Utah's death penalty as crime deterrent (KUTV)

Opinion: Republicans now need to focus on governing well

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Politics

• Never Trump didn’t work. Will the ‘Resistance’ return? (Deseret News)
• Manchin postelection: ‘There is a need for a third party’ (The Hill)
• Republican senator calls on House to share Matt Gaetz ethics report (Reuters)

The U.S.

• 2 dead, 10 injured in New Orleans shootings (CNN)
• Wildfire threat continues in much of the US Northeast as dry conditions persist (The Associated Press)

The World

• In face of alleged US threats, North Korea calls for expanded nuclear forces (POLITICO)
• Biden allows Ukraine to strike inside Russia with missiles (BBC)

Sports

• Where are BYU and Arizona State ranked heading into their monumental Big 12 matchup? (Deseret News)
• Taysom Hill’s latest career day also made NFL history in a Saints win (Deseret News)
• The Runnin’ Utes had their chances to beat Mississippi State. Instead, they’ll have to settle for valuable lessons learned (Deseret News)
• What has happened to BYU’s once-explosive offense? (Deseret News)
• Utah State football believes it still has something to play for this season (Deseret News)

Faith

• The religious makeup of Trump’s proposed administration — and how it relates to the 2024 faith vote (Deseret News)
• Opinion: Hanukkah menorahs in the public square — a reminder of America’s promise of religious freedom for all (Deseret News)

Health

• Carrot recall as E coli outbreak leaves 1 dead, dozens infected across U.S. (Axios)
• U.S. confirms first case of more aggressive strain of mpox (NBC)
• High rates of preterm birth and infant deaths get the US another D+ grade: ‘It’s a travesty’ (CNN)