Fox News host Tucker Carlson wants to know “why is everyone lying” in light of the latest that is happening in Ukraine, telling viewers of his nightly show that “real democracy is a rare thing.”
The host of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” opened with a monologue Monday focused on the hallmarks of democracy and how the latest actions by Ukraine’s president should actually give one pause as the eastern European nation continues to defend itself against the onslaught of a Russian invasion.
“Why go the extra step to tell us that Ukraine is a model democracy when it’s not at all?” Carlson wondered about the reactions from U.S. leaders.
“What exactly is democracy? Well, pluralism is the hallmark of it. In a democracy, citizens can have any opinion they want to have. They can express any opinion they want in public whenever they care to express it, including through mass media,” Carlson began. “These are not just features of democracy. These are prerequisites for democracy.”
(Video: Fox News)
He went on to note how over the weekend, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy banned a political party in Ukraine called Opposition Platform for Life and ten other political parties, acknowledging that the leader essentially declared martial law as the embattled nation continues to be pummeled by invading Russia.
Zelenskyy thus basically created a one-party state, Carlson contended while noting that he “then seized control of the country’s media outlets. Zelenskyy signed a decree that combines all national television channels into a single platform that he controls. He described this as a ‘unified information policy,’ and it certainly is unified.”
“So, if all of these details seem shocking to you, if this is not the Zelenskyy you’ve heard about on the Today Show, then you may not have been paying attention to Ukraine. Zelenskyy has been solidifying complete control over Ukraine for a long time, since long before the Russian invasion and the war,” Carlson said. “Last year, he had his main political opponent arrested and his assets seized by the state. At the same time, Zelenskyy shut down three of Ukraine’s most popular television networks—channels that, not coincidentally, had criticized him.”
The Fox News host went on to question how Americans should “assess” what has unfolded, saying that “first and most obviously, by admitting this is authoritarianism, it’s not democracy. Then second, by acknowledging that actually, it’s pretty common around the world.”
Going on to note the reactions of politicians and media talking heads on the bravery of the Ukrainian people and Zelenskyy’s defiance of President Vladimir Putin, Carlson argued that, while it’s understandable to cheer on the nation’s fight for freedom, “just because what Russia has done in Ukraine was wrong doesn’t mean you have to lie about the Ukrainian government.”
“Why is everyone lying? Why not just say, ‘Look, it’s outrageous that Russia did this and….we like Ukraine better. We’re going to support Ukraine.’ Fine. Why go the extra step to tell us that Ukraine is a model democracy when it’s not at all? Why are they doing that?” he asked.
“Maybe because Ukraine now has exactly the sort of democracy they’d like to see here in the United States,” he continued. “So, maybe you’re starting to conclude these people love Zelenskyy, not because he represents the Ukrainian people, but because Zelenskyy is exactly the leader they would like to be with wildly expanded war powers to make everyone who complains shut up at gunpoint. Maybe that’s what’s going on. It seems kind of obvious when you think about it.”
While there are plenty of “heroic Ukrainian citizens” who are deserving of praise and admiration for bravery in the face of the invasion, Carlson contends that “a war is being waged in America’s name with our money, so it’s fair to ask how the side we are backing is doing.”
“They have a right to fight back and expel the Russians from their country and for the fifth time, we’re rooting for that. But we’re paying for this. So, we have a right to know exactly what’s happening. We have an absolute right to know,” he said.
“This is a war with moral implications. This is a war the White House is involved in at every level. So, when the Ukrainian government does something, we have an interest in knowing exactly what it is and what it means, but more than anything, we have an overriding interest and a moral obligation to keep the United States free,” Carlson concluded.
“So, when you see them admire someone who’s shutting down any opposition to him, you should pause.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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