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Tag: tucker carlson

  • Tucker Carlson Net Worth 2024: From Media To Inheritance – Southwest Journal

    Tucker Carlson Net Worth 2024: From Media To Inheritance – Southwest Journal


    Tucker Carlson, a prominent television host, has an estimated net worth of $370 million, a reflection of his successful career in media.

    His wealth is bolstered not only by a substantial inheritance of $190 million from his family but also by his significant earnings through various endeavors.

    Known for his tenure at Fox News, where he commanded an annual salary of $20 million, Carlson stands as one of the wealthiest individuals in broadcasting.

    Key Takeaways

    • Net Worth is estimated at $370 million.
    • Inheritance of $190 million from family, including substantial Swanson family assets.
    • Real estate holdings across the US and UK, government bonds, and efficient tax strategies contribute to wealth.
    • Signed a three-year advertising deal with Public Square, earning $1 million annually.
    • Annual salary from Fox News was $20 million, with an additional $5 million bonus.
    • Initial salary at Fox News was $600,000.
    • Left Fox News on April 24, 2023.
    • Owns more than 13 real estate properties, including a luxury home in New York and a primary residence on Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida.

    Legacy Assets

    Tucker Carlson, hailing from a wealthy lineage, acquired a substantial fortune through familial ties. His mother, an heiress of the prominent Swanson family, brought vast wealth from her father, Gilbert Carl Swanson, renowned for the Swanson food empire.

    Upon marrying Patricia Caroline Swanson, Tucker’s father blended the Carlson lineage with substantial Swanson assets, further solidifying their financial stature. Tucker’s inheritance included a diversified portfolio surging over $190 million, encompassing a plethora of assets and investments.

    Wealth Allocation:

    • Real Estate: Multiple properties across the US and UK
    • Bonds: Government securities

    Financial Maneuvers:

    • Taxation: Efficient inheritance tax strategies
    • Real Estate Investments: A $10 million luxury home in New York suburbiann

    Carlson’s astute financial maneuvers in investing and real estate expansion have notably increased his wealth well beyond the initial inheritance.

    Net Worth 2024

    Net Worth $370 Million
    Salary $20 Million
    Inheritance $190 Million
    Bank Balance $22.1 Million
    Annual Income $50 Million

    Twitter X Deal

    Biography

    Tucker Carlson is a well-known conservative political commentator, journalist, and TV host. Born on May 16, 1969, in San Francisco, California, he was raised in La Jolla, California.

    His father, Richard Warner Carlson, a former news anchor in Los Angeles and U.S. ambassador to the Seychelles, died in 2020 according to the US Sun.

    Carlson graduated with a BA in history from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1991 as per Business Insider.

    He began his career in journalism as a staff writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, before moving on to roles as a reporter for the Weekly Standard and as a correspondent for CNN and MSNBC.

    Carlson has hosted several TV shows, including CNN’s “Crossfire” and “Tucker,” as well as “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Fox News.

    He has contributed to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Daily Beast, and has written books like “Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News” and “Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution.”

    Carlson is recognized for his conservative viewpoints, which he frequently shares on his shows and in his writing.

    He is a staunch critic of liberal politicians and policies and is known for making controversial remarks on air.

    Nevertheless, he continues to be a prominent figure in conservative media and a well-regarded voice on political and social matters.

    Early Life

    Initially, Carlson aimed to join the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), but after being rejected, he redirected his ambitions towards journalism as per Daily Mail. This shift marked a crucial turning point, setting him on the course to making a substantial impact in the media.

    After completing his college education, Carlson began his journalism career, adopting a conservative stance from the start. This early commitment to conservative viewpoints became a defining feature of his career, influencing his journalistic voice and approach.

    Carlson’s early experiences, characterized by a notable shift from aspiring CIA applicant to journalist, underscore his resilience and ability to adapt. These qualities helped him overcome initial career hurdles and seize new opportunities, leading to his successful and influential presence in the media industry.

    Wife & Kids

    Tucker Carlson’s wife’s name is Susan Carlson. She is a former steeplechase jockey and a longtime equestrian.

    The couple got married in 1991 and they have four children together. Susan Carlson has largely maintained a private life and is not very active in the public eye.

    At the time of marriage, Tucker Carlson’s net worth was already in the tens of millions of dollars.

    Wealth Projection

    Tucker Carlson’s wealth has seen a remarkable increase of over 200% in the last five years. Following his departure from Fox News and the anticipation of new agreements, it’s projected that Tucker Carlson’s net worth will soon surpass $500 million and could potentially reach $1 billion by the decade’s end.

    Initially, Carlson’s net worth was just below $200 million at the outset of his career, a figure he has since managed to double. His wealth stems both from his family’s estate and his earnings at Fox News.

    Carlson’s substantial salary from Fox News played a significant role in boosting his already significant net worth, making him one of the wealthiest figures in media.

    Car Collection

    1. Lamborghini Aventador
    2. Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
    3. Porsche Panamera
    4. BMW 7 Series
    5. Audi A8
    6. Lexus LS
    7. Maserati Quattroporte
    8. Cadillac CT6
    9. Genesis G90

    Assets

    • Real Estate Holdings: Carlson’s portfolio includes more than 13 properties, highlighting his primary residence on the exclusive and picturesque Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida. These properties not only diversify his investments but also underscore his substantial wealth.
    • Cash Reserves: With over $100 million in cash reserves, Carlson demonstrates a keen approach to maintaining liquidity and financial security, providing him with stability and flexibility in his financial endeavors.
    • Investment Portfolio: His investment strategy extends to the stock market, where he holds 25 stocks valued at around $65 million. This diversification strategy mitigates risk and enhances growth potential outside the unpredictable media sector.
    • Luxury Yachts: Owning six luxury yachts reflects Carlson’s love for the sea and luxury, representing a significant financial commitment due to their high maintenance and operational expenses.
    • Luxury Watch Collection: Carlson’s collection features prestigious brands such as Arnold & Son, Omega, Zenith, Girard Perregaux, Bremont, and Bell & Ross. This collection is not merely a display of wealth but also a potential investment, as many high-end watches tend to retain or appreciate in value over time.

    FAQ

    What is Tucker Carlson’s background in media?

    Carlson began his media career in the 1990s, writing for The Weekly Standard among other publications. He has been a commentator on CNN, co-host of “Crossfire,” and hosted “Tucker” on MSNBC before joining Fox News. In 2010, he co-founded The Daily Caller, a right-wing news and opinion website.

    Has Tucker Carlson been involved in any controversies?

    Yes, Carlson has been a controversial figure, known for circulating far-right ideas into mainstream politics and promoting conspiracy theories on various topics. His remarks on race, immigration, and women have been described as racist and sexist by some, leading to advertiser boycotts of his show on Fox News. In April 2023, Fox News dismissed Carlson and canceled his show without explanation, following a defamation lawsuit involving false statements about voting machines.

    What are Tucker Carlson’s political views?

    Carlson is a critic of immigration and has shifted from being an economic libertarian to supporting protectionism. He has renounced his initial support for the Iraq War and has been skeptical of U.S. foreign interventions. Carlson has often defended Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    What is Tucker Carlson’s early life and education?

    Carlson was born in San Francisco, California, in 1969. He grew up in a wealthy family with substantial Swanson food empire assets. After his parents divorced, he was raised by his father in La Jolla, California. Carlson attended St. George’s School and Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Initially aspiring to join the CIA, he shifted towards journalism after being rejected.

     What is Tucker Carlson’s personal life like?

    Carlson is married to Susan Andrews, and they have four children together. He comes from a wealthy lineage and has acquired a substantial fortune through familial ties and his career in media.

    Final Words

    Tucker Carlson’s journey from aspiring CIA agent to a towering figure in conservative media showcases his resilience, adaptability, and influence. His wealth, derived from a mix of inheritance, media earnings, and savvy investments, underscores his status as a broadcasting powerhouse. Despite controversies, Carlson’s voice continues to resonate within the realm of political commentary, making him a pivotal figure in American media.

    Disclaimer

    All information presented in this text is based on our perspectives and experiences. The content is provided for informational purposes only and is a reflection of the personal views of the authors. It should not be taken as professional advice, nor should it be used as a basis for making significant decisions without consulting a qualified expert. We do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information provided and shall not be held responsible for any inaccuracy, omissions, or inaccuracies. 





    Srdjan Ilic

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  • Streaming Tycoon Tucker Carlson Humiliated on His Own Network by Russian Despot

    Streaming Tycoon Tucker Carlson Humiliated on His Own Network by Russian Despot


    This week, Tucker Carlson conducted an interview with Vladimir Putin for his show on X. The interview, which is over two hours long, was ostensibly an attempt to interview the Russian leader about the war in Ukraine but seemed, more or less, like an excuse to criticize the Biden administration. Instead of doing that immediately, however, Putin launched into a lengthy digression about his own version of Russian history before razzing Carlson to his face.

    Twitter Is Shifting Right | Future Tech

    I’ll say this: This interview is easily the funniest thing I’ve seen all year. Granted, it’s only been six weeks since the start of 2024, but Carlson’s awkward, weird talk with Russia’s autocrat had me doubled over laughing multiple times.

    There are multiple layers to the humor. For one thing, Carlson was forced to fly to the Kremlin to conduct this interview. This, in and of itself, is funny. Tucker is summoned to his interview subject’s royal palace, hoping, I’m sure, for an informative and exciting discussion that would lend itself well to his alternative/rightwing/infotainment style of web content. What he got, instead, was a comically boring history lesson about national borders and an ongoing stream of insults. The dumbfounded look of confusion on Carlson’s face as Putin droned on incessantly is truly something to be savored:

    That said, Tucker tried his darnedest to get something commercially viable out of his chat. At almost every turn, however, Putin undermined those attempts, opting instead to mock Carlson and make him look like an idiot.

    One of the more memorable examples of this was when Putin told Carlson that he obviously wasn’t cut out for a job at the CIA (which Carlson ironically attempted to get prior to becoming an anti-Deep State shill):

    At another juncture, Carlson asked Putin if he saw God’s design in world political affairs. With a bored look that seemed to imply he was talking to someone with a below average IQ, Putin merely said “no” before explaining that international laws governed world events, not a deity.

    There are obviously plenty of things you can say about Vladimir Putin but that he is unintelligent is not one of them. Putin’s demeanor throughout much of the interview with Carlson is more or less that of a man trying to explain algebra to a goat.

    The memes inspired by the episode have been plentiful and hilarious. I liked this one:

    And this one:

    And this one:

    That Carlson wanted to interview an influential world leader who is currently engaged in a brutal war is commendable, though it’s difficult not to feel that Carlson’s content is always beholden to a broader ideological narrative designed to rile up viewers without giving them a lot of context. I’d like to see a good interview with Putin, although this wasn’t it. It made me laugh though.





    Lucas Ropek

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  • Russia’s Vladimir Putin claims the Biden administration is ‘killing’ the USD by using it as a weapon — says ‘blow was dealt’ to America and even its allies are now ‘downsizing’ the dollar

    Russia’s Vladimir Putin claims the Biden administration is ‘killing’ the USD by using it as a weapon — says ‘blow was dealt’ to America and even its allies are now ‘downsizing’ the dollar


    Russia’s Vladimir Putin claims the Biden administration is ‘killing’ the USD by using it as a weapon — says ‘blow was dealt’ to America and even its allies are now ‘downsizing’ the dollar

    Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has once again taken aim at the U.S. dollar — accusing President Joe Biden’s administration of “killing [it] with [its] own hands” after using the currency as a weapon of foreign policy.

    In a new and highly divisive interview with Tucker Carlson, the Russian leader said: “The dollar is the cornerstone of the United States’ power… it is the main weapon used by the U.S. to preserve its power across the world.

    Don’t miss

    “As soon as the political leadership decided to use the dollar as a tool of political struggle, a blow was dealt to this American power.”

    To illustrate that alleged decline in the dollar’s dominance, Putin — whose comments were translated live from Russian to English — pointed out that “even the U.S. allies are downsizing the dollar in their reserves.”

    Is this trend away from the greenback — known as de-dollarization — really as bad as Russia’s president makes it out to be?

    Was the writing on the wall?

    De-dollarization occurs when countries shift away from the dollar as a reserve currency, medium of exchange or unit of account. The U.S. has repeatedly dismissed any notions that this is a problem — instead deeming it a “natural desire [for countries] to diversify” their economies.

    But Putin implied Russia’s hand was forced to ramp up its de-dollarization plans after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which triggered a backlash of heavy sanctions by the U.S. and other Western powers. Russia was also kicked off the world’s main international payments network Swift.

    “Look at what is going on in the world,” Putin told Carlson. “Until 2022, nearly 80% of foreign transactions in Russia were settled in U.S. dollars or euros. Currently, it is now down to 13%… By the way, our transactions in yuan accounted for about 3%. Today, 34% of our transactions are made in rubles, and about as much, a little over 34%, in yuan.”

    While Putin blamed the sanctions in this most recent interview, many would argue the writing has long been on the wall regarding Russia’s de-dollarization.

    Russia is a founding member of BRICS, a group of emerging market economies — including China, India, Brazil, South Africa and many more — who are trying to settle major trades in their local currencies instead of the U.S. dollar. This movement is gaining momentum as countries try to reduce transaction costs, limit their exposure to global volatility and geopolitical risks and boost their local economies.

    Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now cash in on prime real estate — without the headache of being a landlord. Here’s how

    What does the de-dollarization data say?

    The Russian president’s warning about the greenback is well-timed. It comes amid heightened speculation around the dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency, in large part due to the nation’s historic $34 trillion mountain of debt.

    According to data from the IMF, the greenback’s share of global allocated foreign exchange reserves has fallen by around 6% since early 2016.

    However, the U.S. dollar still accounted for 59.17% of global allocated foreign exchange reserves in the third quarter of 2023 (the latest data set) — a stark contrast to the Chinese yuan’s 2.37% of reserves in the same period.

    Analysts at FXC Intelligence, who recently published a report on de-dollarization, stated: “Our research shows that de-dollarization is happening, but… it is by no means rapid.

    “It is instead currently on course to be a slow process over the next couple of decades as countries shift to a broader range of currencies, likely to provide greater hedging from future possible geopolitical shocks.”

    What to read next

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.



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  • Putin signals he’s open to prisoner swap for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s release

    Putin signals he’s open to prisoner swap for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s release


    Washington — Russian President Vladimir Putin said “an agreement can be reached” with the U.S. to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained for nearly one year on unsubstantiated espionage charges. 

    Putin was asked by former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview this week if he would release Gershkovich, who is awaiting trial, so that Carlson could bring him back to the U.S. 

    Putin insisted he wanted to see the journalist return to the U.S., but said the Kremlin expects something in return. 

    “We have done so many gestures of goodwill out of decency that I think we have run out of them,” Putin said, adding that he was looking for the U.S. to “take reciprocal steps.” 

    Without saying a name, Putin implied that he wanted Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov in exchange for Gershkovich. Krasikov is serving a life sentence in Germany for murdering a former Chechen fighter in Berlin park in 2019. 

    The State Department said in early December it made a “new and significant” proposal to Russia for the release of Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, an American businessman who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for espionage charges that he and his family vehemently deny. The U.S. considers both Gershkovich and Whelan to be wrongfully detained. 

    “That proposal was rejected by Russia,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Dec. 5. 

    Putin acknowledged in his end-of-year news conference that there were discussions between the Kremlin and Washington, but said the U.S. has not made a satisfactory offer. 

    In response, Miller said the U.S. had “put multiple offers on the table.”

    “So far we have seen them refuse to take us up on our proposals and we hope that they will change the way they’ve handled this going forward,” Miller said on Dec. 14. 

    Putin told Carlson that “there is an ongoing dialogue” between U.S. and Russian special services and such talks have been successful in the past. 

    “Probably this is going to be crowned with success as well,” Putin said. “But we have to come to an agreement.”

    There have been two prisoner swaps between the U.S. and Russia in recent years to secure the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed and WNBA star Brittney Griner, who the U.S. also considered to be wrongfully detained in Russia. 

    “I do not rule out that the person you refer to, Mr. Gershkovich, may return to his motherland,” Putin said. “But at the end of the day, it does not make sense to keep him in prison in Russia. We want the U.S. special services to think about how they can contribute to achieving the goals our special services are pursuing.” 

    The White House said in January that President Biden has been “personally engaged” in the efforts to secure the release of Americans who are held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad, including Gershkovich and Whelan. 

    Caitlin Yilek

    Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at cbsnews.com and is based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.



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  • Why the Kremlin Opened Its Doors to Tucker Carlson

    Why the Kremlin Opened Its Doors to Tucker Carlson


    Tucker Carlson finally has his white whale. On Tuesday, the former Fox News host announced that he’d soon be recording an interview with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The interview is the first that Putin has granted to a Western media figure since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, a fact that Carlson touted in the video he released to tease the meeting. In truth, many Western journalists have requested interviews with Putin to no avail, presumably because they would challenge a leader accustomed to interviews with propagandists on the Kremlin’s payroll. 

    Carlson, meanwhile, has built his post-television brand on friendly sit-downs with far-right and authoritarian leaders worldwide. “[American] media outlets are corrupt,” he said in the teaser video. “At the same time our politicians and media outlets have been…promoting [Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy] like he’s a new consumer brand,” he continued, “not a single Western journalist has bothered to interview the president of the other country involved in this conflict: Vladimir Putin.”

    Carlson’s suggestion that Western journalists are somehow incurious about reporting from Russia is easily disproved by the case of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested in Yekaterinburg last March on dubious espionage charges. He remains behind bars. Many foreign journalists were also forced out of or banned from the country as part of Russia’s response to Western sanctions. In a post on X, CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour wrote, “It’s absurd — we’ll continue to ask for an interview, just as we have for years now.”

    Although he was no doubt partially responsible for Carlson’s visit, even Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had to counter Carlson’s claim. “Mr. Carlson is wrong,” he said during a Wednesday presser. “We receive a lot of applications for interviews with the president.” However, the requests from prominent Western outlets have all been rejected, Peskov explained, as there would be “no benefit in giving them interviews.”

    Why the Kremlin would open its doors to Carlson is eminently clear: He has opposed US aid to Kyiv and is arguably more responsible than any other American for exciting anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia sentiment among the “America First,” Trump-aligned wing of the Republican Party. In Carlson’s telling, Putin’s Russia is a defender of Christendom, standing steadfastly against the anti-Christian West.

    Carlson has also been sympathetic to Putin throughout his war with Ukraine, often producing monologues so favorable to Russia that its state-run outlets translate and rebroadcast them. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a leaked Kremlin memo stated that it was essential to air “broadcasts of the popular Fox News host Tucker Carlson.” Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov even condemned Carlson’s firing from Fox News last year, falsely suggesting that it amounted to a violation of the First Amendment.

    Peskov all but acknowledged this relationship when explaining why the Kremlin approved the interview, which reportedly could air on Thursday. Carlson’s “position” on Russia, Peskov noted, is “different from” that of other “Anglo-Saxon media.” Indeed, while discussing Russo-Ukrainian tensions in 2019, Carlson declared on Fox News: “Why shouldn’t I root for Russia? Which I am.”

    The list of other authoritarian leaders whom Carlson has interviewed includes Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán; El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele; Polish president Andrzej Duda; and Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil who allegedly orchestrated a failed self-coup last year.





    Caleb Ecarma

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  • (Fact Check) Tucker Carlson could Face Sanctions from the U.S. for his Interview with Putin

    (Fact Check) Tucker Carlson could Face Sanctions from the U.S. for his Interview with Putin


    Posted By: Media Bias Fact Check

    Claim by Laura Loomer:

    America is not a free country when a journalist could face sanctions for doing journalism.

    Reasoning:

    The Newsweek article Loomer links address the situation where Tucker Carlson, a conservative pundit, may face sanctions from the European Union (EU), not the United States, due to his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Guy Verhofstadt, a member of the European Parliament, has suggested the possibility of imposing a travel ban on Carlson for being a “mouthpiece” of Putin, who is considered a war criminal by the EU. The potential sanctions are related to EU policies against individuals assisting war criminals, not actions by the United States against journalists. The process for sanctioning individuals involves review by the EU’s External Action Service and approval by the European Council, distinct from any measures the United States might take concerning press freedom.

    MBFC Rating?

    FALSE. Laura Loomer’s claim misrepresents the Newsweek article by suggesting that the United States is imposing sanctions on Tucker Carlson for his journalistic activities. The potential sanctions discussed are from the European Union. They are based on Carlson’s interview with an EU adversary, not a general stance against journalism by the United States. Therefore, the claim that America is imposing sanctions and not a free country based on this scenario is false.

    Do you appreciate our work? Please consider one of the following ways to sustain us.

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    Media Bias Fact Check

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  • Tucker Carlson Pops Up in Moscow, Generating Speculation About a Possible Putin Interview

    Tucker Carlson Pops Up in Moscow, Generating Speculation About a Possible Putin Interview


    Tucker Carlson has been spotted hanging out in Moscow over the weekend, the Russian Telegram channel Mash reported, igniting speculation that the former Fox News host was visiting the Russian capital for an interview with the country’s president, Vladimir Putin.

    Carlson, who maintains close ties to former President Donald Trump and has been rumored as a possible VP pick, arrived in Moscow on Thursday, and was photographed at the famed Bolshoi Theater, where he reportedly attended the ballet “Spartacus.”

    Already on Sunday, the news was generating buzz among U.S. politicians. Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been featured on Russian State TV due to the generally pro-Russia line she has taken following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that “Democrats and their propagandists in the media are spasming at the prospect of Tucker Carlson interviewing Putin.

    “They feel entitled to the position of gatekeeper and believe they are the ones who tell you what to think and believe,” Greene added. “We have a free press in this country, and it’s people like Tucker Carlson who we depend on to speak the truth!”

    Former Illinois Representative Adam Kinzinger, whom Carlson frequently derided on his Fox News show, responded to the news on X, formerly Twitter, calling Carlson a “traitor.” Kinzinger has previously described Carlson’s show as “completely evil” and “full of Russian propaganda.”

    While Carlson’s reasons for traveling to Moscow are not immediately clear, the news host has long been a vocal defender of Putin’s authoritarian regime. He consistently came to the Russian president’s defense following the invasion of Ukraine, after which he became one of the most high-profile critics of U.S. involvement in the war. He has called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy “sweaty and rat-like” and described Ukraine as “a pure client state of the United States State Department.”

    His consistently pro-Putin, anti-Ukraine rhetoric earned him a prominent spot on Russian state TV, which frequently features his commentary. In 2022, when Carlson still had his Fox News primetime slot, Mother Jones magazine reported on a memo the Kremlin sent to Russian state news outlets, asking them to “use as much as possible fragments of broadcasts of the popular Fox News host Tucker Carlson.” When Carlson was fired from Fox News in April of 2023, Russian news outlets leaped to his defense with headlines like “Carlson fired over fearless Ukraine reporting,” The Washington Post reported at the time.

    Last September, Russia’s top state news channel began advertising a news show with Carlson as the host. Carlson denied any knowledge of the program, calling it “more Russia-related bullshit.” “I’ve never heard of this, or the channel,” he told the Financial Times. “Of course, I’m not hosting a show on Russian television. That’s absurd.”

    But that same month, Carlson indicated his interest in interviewing Putin, telling the Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche that the U.S. government had prevented him from doing so. “Nobody defended me,” Carlson said at the time. “I don’t think there was anybody in the news media who said, ‘Wait a second. I may not like this guy, but he has a right to interview anyone he wants, and we have a right to hear what Putin says.”





    Jack McCordick

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  • Tucker Carlson blasts GOP senators over calls to target Iran: ‘Lunatics’

    Tucker Carlson blasts GOP senators over calls to target Iran: ‘Lunatics’


    Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson slammed two Republican senators over their social media posts appearing to call for the United States to attack Iran in retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan.

    U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that a drone strike had killed three U.S. military personnel and wounded 34 others who were stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border. The president blamed Iran-backed militant groups for the deadly blast. Officials said that the attack had been launched from Syria on Saturday night.

    In response to news of the attack, Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator John Cornyn both posted on X, formerly Twitter, calling on the U.S. to act.

    Graham, a South Carolina Republican, wrote on X: “Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.”

    While sharing a CNN article on the news of the drone strike, Cornyn, a Texas Republican, posted on X: “Target Tehran.”

    Carlson appeared to disagree with the idea of retaliating against Iran on X where he shared an image of the posts by Graham and Cornyn and referred to the senators as “f****** lunatics.”

    Former Fox News television personality Tucker Carlson speaks at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. In a January 28, 2024, post on X, Carlson slammed Senator Lindsey Graham and…


    Scott Olson/Getty

    Newsweek reached out via email on Sunday night to representatives for Carlson and Graham for comment.

    A spokesperson for Cornyn responded to Newsweek‘s request for comment by sending a “follow-up tweet from the senator.”

    In the post, Cornyn responded to an X user who was questioning if he suggested that the U.S. “bomb Iran.” The Texas Republican responded, “No. IRGC and Quds Force terrorist facilitators.”

    Carlson, who hosts Tucker on X, has previously criticized Republican lawmakers who pushed for the U.S. to go to war with Iran amid mounting conflict in the region.

    The attack of U.S. troops in Jordan, a Middle Eastern ally of the U.S., comes as the Israel-Hamas war has caused tensions to escalate across the region in the months following Hamas‘ surprise attack on Israel in October 2023.

    On October 7, 2023, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history, resulting in the Middle Eastern nation to launch its heaviest-ever airstrikes and ground offensive on Gaza, home to more than 2 million Palestinians. Israeli officials have said that roughly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 250 hostages were taken in Hamas’ attack, according to the Associated Press. As of Sunday, more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, officials from the health ministry in Gaza said.

    Carlson has previously spoken out against the U.S. potentially heading into war with Iran.

    Just a few weeks after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, Carlson lashed out at Republicans, saying that they weren’t doing enough to fight against the Biden administration, which he accused of “pushing” for the country to head into a war with Iran.

    “We seem to be heading to war with Iran, certainly the Biden administration is pushing us in that direction,” Carlson said. “What’s new and interesting and ominous is that very few Republicans, the opposition party, are pushing back. Instead, those party leaders are encouraging it.”

    The conflict in the Middle East has grown increasingly precarious for the U.S. and its forces stationed in the region. Biden’s administration has continued to support Israel throughout the war. In response, Iran-backed groups have targeted U.S. troops. Since mid-November, the Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen have launched drones and missiles at vessels in the Red Sea. The U.S. has responded by carrying out a series of strikes against Houthi targets.