In a provocative interview that has ignited debate across the political spectrum, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has argued that pervasive fears of "radical Islam" within the United States are grossly exaggerated. He further claimed that the Israeli government is a primary source of these amplified concerns about Muslims.
Carlson's Controversial Claims on Domestic Threats
The comments were made in an interview with The American Conservative, published on Friday. Carlson, positioning himself as a close observer of American life, starkly downplayed the domestic threat from Islamic extremism. "I don’t know anyone in the United States in the last 24 years who’s been killed by radical Islam," he stated, an apparent reference to the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Instead, he pointed to a series of internal social crises as the real dangers destroying American lives. "I do know a lot of people who have killed themselves," Carlson continued. "I know people who’ve died of drug ODs, more than a few. I know people who can’t get jobs." He specifically mentioned the struggles of young men, claiming none of the white boys in his daughter's class could find employment, and blamed their plight on "Adderall and video games and porn."
Carlson summarized his view forcefully: "I see millions of Americans being destroyed, and none of it is at the hands of radical Islam." He even suggested the adult content platform OnlyFans poses a greater societal risk, alleging it is "turning some huge percentage of American women into prostitutes."
Pointing the Finger at Israel
These remarks were a direct response to a straw poll at a recent Turning Point USA conference, where attendees identified "radical Islam" as the greatest threat facing the nation. When asked where such sentiments originate, Carlson was unequivocal.
"It comes from the Israeli government and its many defenders and informal employees in the United States, of course," he replied. This accusation frames the focus on Islamic extremism as a deliberate propaganda effort to align American interests with Israel's.
Mixed Reactions and a History of Inconsistent Statements
The interview has proven deeply polarizing, especially among conservatives. Critics on social media were quick to note that Carlson's framing ignores terrorist acts on U.S. soil since 9/11, such as the Boston Marathon bombing and the Pulse nightclub shooting. Commentator Meghan McCain mocked the shift in his rhetoric, quipping, "We’re like 3 months away from Tucker Carlson telling everyone you’re a warmonger neocon if you don’t convert to Islam."
However, he received support from figures like former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who publicly affirmed her friendship with Carlson.
This stance marks a notable evolution for Carlson. In 2017, he himself stoked fears about Muslim populations in Europe, stating violent terrorism was an "inevitability" there. More recently, however, he has condemned Islamophobia as "disgusting," including during a speech at the same Turning Point USA conference. His latest comments cement a dramatic pivot in his public commentary on the issue, placing blame for anti-Muslim sentiment on a key U.S. ally.
