Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is facing widespread criticism following his exclusive interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week. Carlson’s sit-down marks the first interview Putin has given to a major Western journalist since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. However, the controversial pundit’s pro-Russia stances and failure to visit Ukraine himself have drawn outrage from journalists and officials.
The interview, set to air in full on Carlson’s new media startup later this week, is being hailed by Russian state media as a propaganda win. Kremlin officials granted access to Carlson because they see him as a friendly voice who echoes Russian disinformation about the war.
Carlson falsely claimed in a statement that Western media outlets have been “banned” from interviewing Putin when in reality they have requested and been denied access. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov contradicted Carlson’s assertion, saying “Mr. Carlson is wrong” and that they routinely receive interview requests.
Analysts see the interview as part of Russia’s effort to build ties with the anti-establishment wing of the Republican Party led by Donald Trump. The Kremlin hopes these US conservatives may obstruct military aid to Ukraine if they gain power.
UKRAINE VISIT NOTICEABLY ABSENT
What draws particular ire is that Carlson chose to only visit Russia for Putin’s side of the story, rather than traveling to Ukraine to see the death and destruction caused by the illegal invasion.
Prominent Russian-American journalist Yevgenia Albats, who fled Russia due to the crackdown on independent media, blasted Carlson for claiming to teach “good journalism” without setting foot in the country under attack.
Other experts pointed out that if Carlson truly wanted the facts, he should have gone to see Russia’s devastation in towns like Bucha and Irpin firsthand. The glaring omission of Ukraine from Carlson’s itinerary casts major doubt on his intentions or capacity to report impartially.
‘A PROPAGANDA COUP FOR THE KREMLIN’
Janis Kluge, an analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, described the interview as “the most effective and toxic propaganda clip yet created” by Russian state media.
By failing to challenge Putin’s narrative and conspiracy theories, analysts fear Carlson will only further spread disinformation to his audience of millions of American conservative viewers.
A IDENTIFIED AS A ‘USEFUL IDIOT’
Observers note that Carlson has frequently parroted Kremlin talking points, such as calling Ukraine’s democratically-elected president Volodymyr Zelenskyy an “authoritarian” and questioning the justification for US military aid.
Russian dissident Garry Kasparov called Carlson “the Kremlin’s favorite useful idiot” for propagandizing in Putin’s interests.
With Western resolve to assist Ukraine possibly wavering, critics argue Carlson could potentially help Russia by amplifying Moscow’s lies about the conflict. They emphasize only a firm, united response can end the war on just terms.
