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Outrage on the right. Schadenfreude on the left. Tucker’s out at Fox News!
Tucker Carlson is not a journalist. He may have worked for an outfit called Fox News until Monday, but the news is not what his expertise lies in. Instead, Carlson is a shocking entertainer. It’s that schtick that butters his bread.
And while one could argue about whether Fox News should drop the “news” from its name after revelations from the recently settled Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit showed that the organization engaged in unethical and misleading behaviors.
In fact, the company lied to its viewers to appease its audience’s thirst for pro-Trump content. But, again, it was about the bottom line.
And so, Carlson went on national television to blockbuster ratings every night and groomed — yes, he groomed them — his viewers into consuming nightly outrage, hate, conspiracy theories, vitriol, and misinformation.
Tucker Carlson got upset about a transgender CDC employee.
Insurrection apologism? Yes, sir.
White supremacy? Fine by Carlson.
Transphobia? Sure.
Racism? Yep.
Lies? Of course.
So long as it could outrage, Carlson would amplify it.
So, it is no surprise that many who’ve suffered the wrath of Carlson’s spotlight have enjoyed a certain level of collective schadenfreude at the right-wing pundit’s involuntary departure from the Rupert Murdoch-owned media property.
Here’s a taste of some of Tucker Carlson’s worsts.
Tucker Carlson promoted Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok.
During a segment in 2021, Carlson criticized recent videos released by the Biden administration for being out of touch with reality. A clip showed Vice President Kamala Harris’ surprise birthday celebration. He played a video clip of ADM Rachel Levine recognizing her achievement of being the first female four-star officer in the U.S. Public Health Service commissioned corps. Also, Levine is the first openly transgender four-star admiral in U.S. history. He called that all “ridiculous.”
Carlson has also fomented anti-trans hatred on his show by amplifying Chaya Raichik, the founder of Libs of TikTok, and Jaimee Michell, the founder of Gays Against Groomers. Both women are friendly with Carlson, who gives their anti-LGBTQ+ messages attention. Through his amplification of their messages, the online accounts have gained thousands of followers, and their messages have been mainstreamed. Although they have no grassroots origin, these organizations received unparalleled support from the Fox News entertainer. This led to them attaining celebrity status from those on the far right.
Tucker Carlson got in a nasty tit-for-tat with Chelsea Handler.
After Raichik highlighted misinformation about care at Boston Children’s Hospital’s gender-affirming care department, the hospital received bomb threats. A Massachusetts woman was arrested by the FBI and charged with making the threats shortly after they were committed. In addition, a Texas man was later arrested for interstate bomb threats against the hospital.
He attacked hospitals providing gender-affirming health care to transgender youth during a segment on Tucker Carlson Tonight, which often features anti-LGBTQ+ remarks.
In a series of statements, Carlson called gender-affirming medicine “a crime” and called transgender people a fad.
Carlson teamed up with online trolls to target Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee after right-wing extremist Matt Walsh alleged the facility opened its gender-affirming care division for financial gain.
Carlson frequently ranted about Pete Buttigieg, his husband Chasten, and their family. Gays Against Groomers’ Jaimee Michelle’s comments that gender-affirming grooming was to blame for Club Q’s shooting were echoed by him.
He attacked Oregon’s bisexual former governor Kate Brown for marrying a man and an employee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for being transgender and wearing a transgender pride flag.
Carlson listed membership in the Dan White Society and the Jesse Helms Foundation as part of his college yearbook—one honors Harvey Milk’s killer, and the other honors a noted anti-LGBTQ+ North Carolina senator.
A prude pundit who was offended by M&M’s decision to remove gender from its animated spokes candies, Carlson also ranted about Chelsea Handler and her decision not to have kids.
Tucker Carlson repeatedly insulted ADM Rachel Levine and called her appointment “ridiculous.”
Tucker Carlson elevated Jaimee Michell, a political operative who runs of Gays Against Groomers.
Tucker Carlson was incensed that Oregon’s bisexual former Gov. Kate Brown married a man.
Tucker Carlson and Matt Walsh discuss hospitals deserving to receive bomb threats if they provide gender-affirming care.
Tucker Carlson got upset that the M&M characters were being made less sexy.
Tucker Carlson mocked the MPV outbreak and disparaged the LGBTQ+ community for it.
Tucker Carlson is obsessed with Pete Buttigieg and his family, often commenting negatively about normal things straight parents do.
Tucker Carlson was very upset that Pete Buttigieg took parental leave.
Tucker Carlson listed in his yearbook that he was a member of some questionable organization.
Tucker Carlson praised Hungary’s strongman leader Viktor Orban.
