Stoking social media schisms, Tucker Carlson fueled fiery responses with callouts to “the nastiest, the stupidest, and the most zero-sum people,” representing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis online.
(Video: Timcast IRL)
The former Fox News host and public supporter of former President Donald Trump’s 2024 run to re-enter the White House launched his vague attack during a roundtable discussion with Tim Pool and Charlie Kirk. Joining the commentators at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest Monday, Carlson admitted to not being on the internet “that much” before assessing unspecified surrogates in that space.
“You really get the sense that Ron DeSantis — who I liked as governor — the people who represent him online are the nastiest, the stupidest, and the most zero-sum people I’ve ever seen in my life, and I don’t think that reflects him, but it’s like, this is kind of small ball,” he asserted without naming names.
Where Carlson did get specific, it was in calling out one Republican donor, hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who had previously told CNBC he was “still on the sidelines” for the 2024 primary.
The host of “Tucker Carlson Uncensored” contended, “And by the way, these purported conservatives — Ron DeSantis changed his view — and I like him, okay, I think he’s been a good governor, I just want to be clear about that. I know him personally, I like him, but his donor, Ken Griffin, told him to change his view on Ukraine from, ‘It’s a regional conflict we shouldn’t get involved in,’ to, ‘It’s a super important thing, we should send more money.'”
“One donor got him to change his view and all these so-called conservatives are just supporting that like it’s the most important thing ever. Who are these people and what is their problem? Like what is going on with them?” he asked.
As it happened, one of the leading pushbacks against the commentator’s assessment presented an exchange between Carlson and DeSantis when he had challenged the governor on that very issue earlier in the year at The FAMiLY Leadership Summit.
At the time, the candidate rejected the interviewer’s premise that he had changed his position and expanded on the importance of the United States having a clearly defined objective in the Eastern European conflict.
Sickening how Tucker Carlson lies about DeSantis.
DeSantis did NOT change his view on Ukraine and does NOT change views due to donors. How do we know? Tucker interviewed him in July on this very topic.
DeSantis has been CONSISTENT and against blank check policy. pic.twitter.com/PgiWlLrLqK— Dr Patrick M – AI Changes Everything (@patmcguinness) December 19, 2023
Pool picked up on Carlson’s remarks and argued, “It does reflect on Ron, because Ron should have fired the people running his campaign a long time ago. I mean, who’s giving this guy advice and why does he keep taking it? ‘Cause I will say it, politically and policy-wise, we love Ron DeSantis, he’s done an amazing job, but his campaign is a train wreck.”
Supporters from both sides of the GOP primary weighed in on the discussion with agreement or dispute on the premise and the lasting credibility of the popular commentator.
LOL; @TuckerCarlson knows he is wrong on this and knows he is wrong by a mile. It has to be trolling.
— Chris Loesch (@ChrisLoesch) December 19, 2023
He’s not wrong
— (@KateArete) December 19, 2023
Of all those who have thoroughly trashed their reputations this campaign season, Carlson is the saddest.
He had a chance to be the biggest and most trusted name in news of the last few decades.
Instead he chose the $.
Sad.
— Vincinnatus (@Vincinnatus) December 19, 2023
Yep,
All true.
Tucker for the win
— Linda Traitz (@LindaTraitz) December 19, 2023
I don’t think Tucker even uses X personally. Does he really scroll through social media and keep up with the political chatter ??
— Corey Lambrecht (@OklaInspector) December 19, 2023
There’s a percentage of those in everyone’s support base. Not exclusive to Ron.
— GGPDND (@DNDGGP) December 19, 2023
- DOGE discovers $1.9B in tax dollars ‘misplaced’ by Biden regime - February 15, 2025
- Alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer issues first public statement – to fans - February 15, 2025
- Psaki acknowledges Dem failures: ‘Now is the time to break some sh*t’ - February 15, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.