Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) criticized conservative commentator Tucker Carlson on Tuesday, accusing him of playing a remarkable role in demonizing the idea of sending military aid to Ukraine.
McConnell pointed to Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year as evidence, suggesting that Carlson’s rhetoric influenced many rank-and-file Republicans.
During the two-hour interview, Putin dominated the conversation, and Carlson faced criticism for not challenging Putin’s assertions effectively.
Tucker Carlson (Credits: The American Prospect)
Putin later expressed dissatisfaction with the interview, expecting more aggressive questioning. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson labeled the interview as “ludicrous,” cautioning against falling for Putin’s deceitful narrative.
Carlson defended the interview, asserting his right to hold any opinion. He has been vocal in his opposition to U.S. involvement in the conflict, a stance that seems to have resonated with many Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who previously downplayed the importance of the war in Ukraine but later retracted his statement between criticism.
Mitch McConnell (Credits: CNN)
McConnell highlighted concerns among senior Republicans about the spread of Russian propaganda within conservative media and the party’s base. House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) warned about the dissemination of anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, even within political circles.
Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Carlson had referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator” and questioned why the United States wasn’t aligning with Russia in the conflict. His commentary has stirred controversy and divided opinions within the Republican Party regarding the U.S. stance on the war in Ukraine.
