Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News anchor, stirred controversy with his recent remarks defending Russian President Vladimir Putin during an interview at the 2024 World Government Summit in Dubai. His comments, made in response to questions about his interview with Putin, have ignited a firestorm of criticism and scrutiny.
Carlson’s Defense of Putin:
During the interview with Egyptian journalist Emad Eldin Adeeb, Carlson defended his decision not to challenge Putin on pressing issues such as the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He asserted that other journalists had already raised such questions and that it was not groundbreaking news that Putin has ordered hits on his enemies. Carlson’s assertion that “leadership requires killing” drew widespread condemnation and raised questions about his stance on authoritarian leadership.
Focus on Letting Putin Speak:
Carlson explained that his primary goal in interviewing Putin was to “let Putin talk” and “hear his thoughts.” He dismissed the notion of positioning himself as the “good guy” to Putin’s “bad guy,” arguing that it would not lead to fruitful dialogue. However, critics argued that by not challenging Putin on human rights abuses and authoritarian practices, Carlson failed in his duty as a journalist to hold powerful leaders to account.
Dismissal of Criticism:
When asked about the criticism leveled at him over the interview, Carlson appeared dismissive, claiming he hadn’t seen any reactions and brushing off comments from figures like Hillary Clinton, whom he referred to as “a child.” His apparent indifference to criticism further fueled speculation about his motivations and alignment with pro-Putin sentiments.
Praise for Moscow and Criticism of American Cities:
In a surprising turn, Carlson praised Moscow for its cleanliness, safety, and aesthetics, contrasting it with what he described as the “filth and graffiti” in American cities. He lamented the decline of urban centers in the United States and suggested that if he were in charge, such decay would not be tolerated. Critics pointed out the irony of Carlson’s praise for Moscow, given his history of supporting pro-Putin narratives and downplaying Russia’s human rights abuses.
