Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite his public admiration for Russia, took an unexpected turn when Putin publicly criticized him.
The former Fox News host made headlines by traveling to Russia for an interview with Putin, marking the leader’s first interview with a Western media outlet since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago. This invasion resulted in significant casualties.
The interview, which lasted over two hours, garnered over one million likes after being posted on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on February 8. During the interview, Carlson allowed Putin to dictate the conversation, leading to criticisms of sycophancy and embarrassment.
While some of Carlson’s supporters hailed the interview as an act of courageous journalism uncovering uncomfortable truths, it received a more subdued response from others. Even Putin himself expressed disappointment, expecting more challenging questions and a more aggressive stance from Carlson.
Tucker Carlson (Credits: The Wall Street Journal)
The interview took an awkward turn when Putin mocked Carlson for his previous aspirations to become a CIA operative. Carlson, who was dismissed from Fox News in 2023 amidst controversies surrounding his support for Trump and allegations of a toxic work environment, remains popular and influential despite losing the support of the right-wing media conglomerate.
Since parting ways with Fox News, Carlson’s content has veered further into the realm of conspiracy theories, featuring guests like notorious conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and individuals making outlandish claims, such as having engaged in drug-fueled encounters with former President Barack Obama.
Despite the public mockery from Putin, Carlson’s affinity for Russia appears undiminished. In videos posted on his website, he extols the virtues of Russian society compared to his own country, citing examples like the cleanliness and efficiency of Moscow’s subway system and the affordability of groceries in Russian stores.
Carlson even claimed to have been “radicalized” against US leadership by observing the comparatively lower grocery prices in Russia.
Despite the public roast from Putin, Carlson’s fascination with Russia continues unabated, as he continues to showcase his admiration for the country through various media platforms.
