|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Order Michael Finch’s new book, A Time to Stand: HERE. Prof. Jason Hill calls it “an aesthetic and political tour de force.”
Tucker Carlson has never hidden his hostility and twisted obsession toward Israel, Jews, or anyone who stands with them. Recently, though, his anti-Jewish rhetoric reached a new level.
He is now elevating voices that not long ago were considered too extreme and shameful to be heard anywhere outside the shadows. Carlson has hosted several individuals with established antisemitic records, but the clearest example came when he hosted Nick Fuentes on his podcast—a Holocaust-denying, Hitler-praising, white nationalist, who calls for the defeat of “global Jewry.” For more than two hours, Carlson gave him a platform to rant about “organized Jewry” controlling America, to praise Stalin, and to smear Republicans who support Israel as victims of a “brain virus.”
Carlson didn’t challenge, counter, or elucidate his own views for the audience. He simply amplified Fuentes’ vile Jew-hatred.
Carlson also gave a platform to Darryl Cooper, an extremist historical revisionist, who argues the genocide of Jews in WWII was not a deliberate extermination plan but a logistical failure. Cooper claims Winston Churchill might be the “real villain” of WWII, rather than Hitler.
Carlson interviewed Jackson Hinkle, who describes himself as an “American Conservative Marxist-Leninist” and proponent of “MAGA Communism”, who is pro-Russia, strongly anti-Ukraine, pro-Iran, anti-Israel, and spreads conspiracies.
Carlson normalizes and legitimizes these extremist voices because they reflect his own beliefs. His goal is to popularize them within the conservative movement.
By doing so, Carlson has forced conservatives into a moment of truth.
Just as I introduced the Israel Test to expose the moral collapse of the left, the conservative movement now faces the “Tucker Test”: They must choose between standing with Carlson or standing with moral clarity.
The test has already illuminated who’s up for the task. Several conservative voices openly condemned Carlson. Senator Ted Cruz issued a clarion call to the right when he said, “If you sit with someone who says Adolf Hitler was very, very cool and their mission is to defeat ‘global Jewry,’ and you say nothing, you are complicit in that evil.”
On the other hand, the Heritage Foundation’s president, Kevin Roberts, rushed to defend Carlson as “a close friend” and labeled his critics a “venomous coalition.” The irony was hard to miss, since the Heritage Foundation was behind Project Esther, a national initiative that claimed to combat antisemitism.
Sadly, like Roberts, a growing number of influential figures in the conservative movement are failing the Tucker Test.
This is not solely about Israel or the Jews. It is about Carlson’s effort to pull the conservative movement into dangerous waters of conspiracy and paranoia. It mirrors what has happened on the left, where the center’s collapse opened the door for figures like Mamdani and other extremists to push their agenda away from mainstream values.
Like the Jew-hatred of the Islamo-Leftist alliance, Tucker’s first targets are Israel and the Jewish people. He promotes isolationism, consistently arguing that American support for Israel harms the United States. He portrays “Christian Zionists” as diseased and offers platforms to isolationists who want America to abandon its allies and retreat from its role as a global leader.
For decades, Republicans supported Israel because they believed it was morally right and strategically vital. They recognized Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East that shares America’s values. Over the years, many American leaders acknowledged the fact that “Israel is the largest American aircraft carrier in the world that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one American soldier, and is located in a critical region for American national security.”
Conservative governors have repeatedly passed anti BDS laws and conservative leaders consistently condemned antisemitism on the left. They understood that standing with Israel and the Jewish people aligned with American interests and moral clarity. This has always been less about Jews and Israel and more about the interests of America.
We now see a growing isolationist faction within the conservative movement. Figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens promote conspiracy theories that, just like the far left, aim to divide Americans and erase moral boundaries. Their agenda is not principled conservatism, it is a rejection of the values that once defined the conservative movement: strength, principle, democracy, and an unwavering support for allies who share America’s ideals.
Although the left and the right are ideologically opposed, at the extremes they meet at the same point, conspiracy, paranoia, and Jew- hatred. At both extremes, moral conviction gives way to moral decay and facts are replaced by theories. The press, universities, and civic organizations, pillars that once upheld shared truth, have abdicated their roles as stewards of integrity. In this vacuum, people blame Jews for their problems while ignoring the forces that undermine the country’s connective tissue.
Throughout history, every society has blamed the Jews for its failures, yet it was never truly about the Jews. It was driven by deeper and more destructive interests held by those who weaponized blame. This pattern is now repeating itself within American politics – on both sides of the aisle. The far right’s new populism, like the left’s ideological radicalism, feeds on grievance and conspiracy. It rejects complexity in favor of scapegoats. It tears down institutions rather than reforming them. That corrosion of trust is dangerous not only to Jews but to a properly functioning democracy.
The genius of American conservatism was once its defense of liberty. It fought for the importance freedom anchored in faith, family, and strong institutions. If conservatives abandon those guardrails for demagoguery and digital mobs, they will not only fail the Tucker Test, but they will also destroy the very civilization they claim to defend.
The Tucker Test is about more than Tucker Carlson. It’s about whether conservatives will defend American exceptionalism or surrender to the isolationist fringe. Whether the right will stand for civilization and against bigotry.
Republicans have spent years calling out Democrats for failing the Israel Test. Now they must prove they hold themselves to the same standard.
Because if the conservative movement fails the Tucker Test, it will lose its moral authority and its claim to defend Western values.
The choice is clear: Stand with those who defend freedom, democracy, and the U.S.–Israel alliance or stand aside while antisemites poison your movement from within.
Adam Milstein is an Israeli-American “Strategic Venture Philanthropist.” He can be reached at adam@milsteinff.org, on Twitter @AdamMilstein, and on Facebook www.facebook.com/AdamMilsteinCP.
Originally published in jpost.com.
Most recently (I think yesterday), Carlson gave an elaborate, twisted, nonsensical explanation for why PM Netanyahu is the “main enemy of the West.”
Also, we need to stop only shining a light on the insane guests he has on with no push back. Tucker has been serving up outlandish ideas of his own for at least two years.
Everyone of his guests should be quietly listed and used to check WokeRight networks. Wherever they show their hand in the open we should turn it against them.
Is Tucker trying to redeem — in his own twisted mind — nazi-sympathizing grandparents?
The rot has even spread to some commenters here at FPM, assuming they’re even real people.
On the one hand, that is frustrating. On the other hand it does mean that FPM is a real threat to these WokeRight jerks.
Draw to a healthy MAGA anyone ready to be decent so that no one needs to feel abandoned. The tent needs to be big but it also needs to be sturdy. To that end keep the pressure on until these WokeRighties have got all the clout of a local radio show in Dearborn.
Using a simple litmus test sounds useful.
you are wrong on every aruguement you laid out.
GET EDUCATED….OR GO BACK ON YOUR MEDS.
This from a poster who names himself after Philadelphia’s failed mayor Rizzo?
Rizzo was a mayor who thought his tough on (black) crime policies would persuade Philly’s (mostly liberal) Jews to love him, but they didn’t. )My grandmother was the only one of my family who was won over.)
I think this troll with the adopted moniker has roots in Philadelphia’s Italian community, and is embittered for having to flee to …. where?// Havertown? Ardmore? …
What happened to Tucker Carlson? He used to seem so normal. I think he has terminal syphilis eating at his brain or something. His dick will probably drop off soon.
Who the heck said anything about Pollard, until you just did? Purging Huckabee? Really? If anybody is worried about the Deep State, they should be worried about how it just harassed Huckabee. If the Woke Right had its way, the only members of Trump’s Team who wouldn’t be fired would be those Tucker approved of. No one elected Tucker. Trump stood by Huckabee.
Tucker is undermining MAGA, the struggle against Islam and the larger Left-Islam war on the West. That is the basic problem with him. And yeah, it’s pretty obvious that he’s also an anti-semite. Islam is not a Jewish Problem or an Israel Problem. They’re coming for the entire West.
I’m not worried about Tucker per se. He is, however, one of the most famous Woke-Right influencers and his name is fast becoming a near synonym for the Woke-Right intelligentsia..
The Jew-hate is strong with this one…
We want no part of any so called Global Neighborhood
We need to stop being such a bad neighbor.
Jews didn’t kill Christ, Romans & the jealous, envious Deep Church State tyrants / communists seeking someone to blame for their inadequacies did. That DNA based in jealousy, envy, warring against competency lingers today seeking to take out supporters of Christ’s teachings, his Jewish heritage & by association, all defenders of life, liberty & freedom, Israel and US.
Always eloquent Ayaan Hirsi Ali Uses Anti-Israel Christian’s Own Words To Rip Apart His Argument! ~
I don’t want to get into a theological debate but isn’t it Christian doctrine that God sent his only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for the sins on mankind? And, if this is correct, why, even if Jews did have the Romans crucify Jesus, would it be blame worthy since that was what God intended and was necessary in order for Jesus to fulfill his destiny? I’ve never understood.
There is a serious question- bordering on conclusive- as to whether a real person such asJesus ever existed- no contemporaneous writings during his supposed life -and his supposed actions during his supposed life being unbelievable to any thinking person- it is an incredible story on so many levels- and was accepted during times of widespread superstition with no education for critical thinking-
It is an easy matter to put “secular sources for Jesus” into a search engine to test your theory.
Even his own Apostles disbelieved at first, but after seeing, touching, eating with, hearing and witnessing His ascension, chose to be tortured to death rather than deny the LORD Who redeemed them.
I know of no conclusive evidence you mention, but would be happy to investigate should you see fit to point me in the right direction.
My point isn’t whether Jesus existed. It assumes he did. But even so, blaming Jews for his death, in view of my understanding of Christian belief, seems incoherent given that he is said to have been sent by God to die on the cross for the sins of mankind. My problem is that, even assuming that some Jews were complicit, why blame them for it because they were only carrying out God’s will. Yet, for 2,000 years, Jews have been beaten, tortured, and murdered in the belief that they were, as I’ve been called, “Christ killers.”. I still don’t get it.
I don’t believe you’re a Christ killer.
Those people are idiots, Kasandra. I killed Jesus. Every person who sins has killed Jesus. The LORD gave Himself over to death for us, ALL of us, Jews and gentiles, while we were yet sinners. There is no God like the LORD.
You are simply wrong.
Ever heard of Josephus…or Matthew, Mark, Luke or John?
You are simply wrong.
Ever hear of Josephus,.. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John?
Well, then, why don’t you explain how and why I am wrong other than by asking a question?
Yes, God sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross. Jesus (being One with God) also stated no one could take His life, but that He had power both to both lay it down and take it up again (John 10: 17-18). So this makes Jesus a cause of His own death.
There is more than one cause in the crucifixion of Christ. Jewish leaders, Judas, Roman officials, Pontius Pilate, centurions, all acting in accordance with the Primary Cause – the LORD God Himself.
Does God sometimes use human evil to accomplish His purposes? Habakkuk says yes. Does God sometimes use supernatural evil to do the same? Job would also say yes.
Is God to blame for the evil that we do? No, but it was our evil that moved God “to provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22: 8).
Before there was time or space, God and Jesus agreed that Jesus would become incarnate and suffer on the cross to restore God’s creation by atoning for man’s sins. When God chose to use the Spirit to impregnate Mary, He started a process that required confronting His chosen people, the children of Abraham, with their failures. Clearly Jesus spoke clearly and harshly about the shortcomings of the leaders of those people, while saying little about their captors – the Romans. He provoked them to fulfill the prophecies they claimed to believe. And then he fulfilled the rest of the prophecies by rising from death, appearing to many, and ascending to sit at the right hand of his Father to judge all who believe forgiven and justified to spend eternity in His presence.
It is not for us to know why God chose this course of events that led to a new covenant of love and forgiveness without making the demands of the old covenant. Nor can we know why or when God will order the last day, when all will be judged. But we can offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, doing good works for others because our hearts have been changed by God.
And, as we read in the Gospels, Jesus gave up His spirit. In that sense, it matters not the motives of those who put Him on the cross, because He was doing exactly what he set out to do before the world was created.
Jews didn’t kill Christ? Barabbas didn’t exist either than.
It’s one level of idiocy from Tucker to praise sharia because of his jewphobia, it’s another more disgusting level to call God a liar because of jewphilia.
Both of your groups are nuts.
As Victor Davis Hanson has said, if you are going to have interviews with people who offer very alternative views of history mixed with conspiracy theories about political goals and tactics, and then not even ask legit questions, no one should take you seriously any more.
True. But we live in an idiocracy so idiotic (as well as dangerous ideas) take hold and fester. Unfortunately.
Lots of people worked very hard for a very long time to get Republican power and influence to the level it recently enjoyed. And then people like Tucker, Owens, Fuentes and others come along with their hate-fueled conspiracy theories and Jew/Israel baiting and do more to destroy the movement than the DNC could ever do. They must be so proud of themselves.
I always liked Tucker other than when the word preppie was used, an unwanted image of him popped up in my brain almost automatically.
Is this true that he has always been rabidly anti-semitic? How did he make it through all those years with FOX? Never really saw any inclination of his hatred of Jews or worse that he’s a conspiracy flake. Complete failure or he really hid it well for years.
People sometimes have a break as they get older and they’re never the same again. It just doesn’t appear or present itself clearly as mental illness or some other pathology and a change of opinion is often mis-attributed to what is more of a chemical physical change. Something that took me a long time to figure out.
That’s the explanation that most made sense to me for Tucker’s sudden embarrassment of the right. It’s just a nightmare, but if he has always been like this, he’s not worth wasting time on.
Advocating for a pro-Israel litmus test will only feed the anti-Israel factions.
Questioning or criticizing Israel should not be automatically labelled anti-semitism. Doing so increases anti-semitism and paranoia about “Jewish influence.”
Tucker’s failures as an interviewer should be answered with countervailing opinions, facts and arguments. Calling for censure is anti-American and increases anti-semitism.
American is not a democracy.
Objecting to Tucker isn’t a ‘pro-Israel litmus’ test or criticism of Israel
It’s about Tucker going to Dubai to bash America at a Muslim World Government Summit
It’s about Tucker inviting on a Marxist lobbyist for the Muslim killer of Christians
It’s about Tucker trying to sell the idea that Hitler was good and Churchill was bad
It’s about Tucker defending the Marxist socialist dictatorship in Venezuela
It’s about Tucker promoting Jeffrey Sachs, a Soros UN employee, again and again
Anyone who tries to pretend that criticism of Tucker is just about Israel and ignores these points is engaging in a propaganda tactic
I don’t know what has happened to Tucker, but he is off the deep rails. How sad to think he has gone so far into a deep hole.
This article seems clear that toleration for or acceptance of Tucker could function as a kind of litmus test for the approved attitude towards Israel and / or Jews, with “bad” viewpoints condemned as lacking “moral clarity.” The comments are clearly heavy on the side of censure, and this would limit the free exchange of information, ideas and debate – a repulsive position to me, which is why I appreciate your “it’s about” statements.
I will investigate your assertions one by one. Tucker often criticizes the current state of the USA, and his massive platform indicates many agree with him. I never experienced what I understand as anti-semitism until the last couple of years, but my definition of that term is simple – hatred of another because of religion or ethnicity. So I am not anti-semitic. I hate that term also, because the Jews are only one semitic people among others. Accuracy is too important to use words loosely.
It seems many believe anti-semitism is criticizing or even QUESTIONING Israel or Jews as a group (because groups DO have recognizable stereotypical types despite individual variety). Americans are very comfortable criticizing our own country, so begin forbidden to criticize another arouses our deep suspicions. How can we determine our best interest without the discrimination of critical inquiry?
Frank Rizzo makes a comment about Jonathan Pollard’s spying for Israel against the United States. I recently came across those facts and was appalled at his treatment here and in Israel. I did not know Israel then sold those secrets to Russia – something that needs verification – but it would not surprise me if it were true. Is Israel our ally, really? Or are we just a sugar daddy? Or something worse?
Israelis are incredibly pro-American. Israel, despite the cowardly efforts of some, is one of the last remaining true allies of America.
The use of the word `antisemitism’ is primarily due to Wilhelm Marr to obscure and euphemize what he might have termed `anti-Judaism.’ Prior to that it was used in a few academic references. Marr used the term to promote his own anti-jewish hatred. The tedious hairsplitting pseudo-etymology you present is a rehabilitation of Marr’s evil wordplay.
Thank you for explaining the origin of the term antisemitism. It is interesting to me that you find evil my desire to employ words with precision, especially those that form the crux of discussing the topic of antisemitism. And that is very interesting to me, also. Why the ascribing to me of evil motive?
A semite would properly be a descendant of Noah’s son Shem. The Jews are only one people of many descended from Shem. If my understanding is wrong, I appreciate correction.
you’re ignoring my points and circling back to the same tiresome leftist line of ‘criticism of Israel isn’t antisemitism’
people can feel however they like about Israel or Jews,. but when they endorse Islamic Sharia law, promote leftists and attack America, while declaring that Saudi Arabia is the future, as Tucker did, they’re enemies of Western civilization
Objecting to Tucker isn’t a ‘pro-Israel litmus’ test or criticism of Israel
It’s about Tucker going to Dubai to bash America at a Muslim World Government Summit
It’s about Tucker inviting on a Marxist lobbyist for the Muslim killer of Christians
It’s about Tucker trying to sell the idea that Hitler was good and Churchill was bad
It’s about Tucker defending the Marxist socialist dictatorship in Venezuela
It’s about Tucker promoting Jeffrey Sachs, a Soros UN employee, again and again
Not ignoring your points. Going through the time to research each one. Have watched the video of Tucker hosting the conference in Dubai. Cannot find this one: “It’s about Tucker inviting on a Marxist lobbyist for the Muslim killer of Christians.”
My family is here and I have been very busy, but not ignoring you -grateful to you for your time and interaction. Your knowledge far better than mine, and I know it.
Enjoy time with your family
This is what I’m referring to
Mr. Greenfield, I have finally researched enough to give an opinion. I respond because is better to let you know that I have investigated your points, rather than you assuming I disregarded the time and effort you gave me.
1. Tucker bashing USA in Dubai. Agree it is unseemly. The Arab reaction to it was very interesting. Before the internet, I believed it should NEVER be done, but our self-criticism is now worldwide no matter where we do it. Arab reaction to it makes me think it has some good in it, but I am old-fashioned and think it should not be done before a foreign audience absent compelling circumstances.
2. Marxist lobbyist advocating for Muslim killer of Christians. Joel Mowbray is added to my list of people who are valuable sources of information. Robert Amsterdam is a consummate lawyer representing his clients both in and out of court. But he misleads the court of public opinion and commits evil when he gives the impression El-Rufai is a protector of Christians and not their enemy. I am also a lawyer and believe he is unethical for doing this whether in or out of court.
3. Tucker defending the Marxist socialist dictatorship in Venezuela. I do not agree. Tucker praised the conservative SOCIAL policy of Venezuela and noted that Maduro’s rival would fully embrace deadly liberal policy. He did not give wholesale approval to Maduro when he noticed something good in him (1 Kings 14: 13).
4. Tucker selling the idea that Hitler was good and Churchill was bad. I disagree for the same reasons above. Hitler and Churchill were both men and, like all of us, had both good and evil. Understanding and discernment requires careful, full-orbed investigation, not flat, two-dimensional cartoon depictions.
5. Tucker promoting Jeffrey Sachs, a Soros UN employee. Admit I become cartoonish in my flat, prejudicial rejection of anything even touching Soros, but I could not find any Tucker interview of this man to damn his viewpoints.
I still believe this article’s topic sentence defines its theme and offers a new test to join the author’s proffered “Israel Test.”
thank you for looking the evidence over
Tucker Carlson called Darryl Cooper, a Holocaust denier, “the best and most honest popular historian.” In doing so, he has betrayed the conservative movement to the core, letting that goose-stepping obergruppenführer into the house and fouling up the neighborhood. Tucker has dishonored us all. I don’t want him censored, deplatformed, or demonetized. I want him criticized in the strongest possible terms; which is to say I want him ostracized, excommunicated and declared anathema. He’s a “Christian” that has forgotten that our Lord was a Jew. We Christian Zionists want no part of him.
Neither he nor Owens are representing any portion of conservatism; not with Hitler loving Holocaust denying, “MAGA Communism” he’s not.
That Nick pos needs an ass kicking and thrown in a ditch ! Tucker too ! How was Charlie K Friends with Tucker ?
Antisemitism/blaming the Jews is the canary in the coal mind. It is warning sign of a failing society. All societies in some point of their existence enter the period of decline. When it happens they blame their failing on other people, rather than themselves. What can be the easiest scape goat, than distinguishability successful minority. The Jews. What Tucker is doing is amplifying -rightly or wrongly- perceived American decline. Hence Tucker and his ilk sees The Jews responsible for all America’s problems.
The difference between today and the past, now The Jews have their own state and they are able and willing to defend themselves.
Never liked Tucker, even from the get-go, and certainly NEVER trusted him.
His series on Kamala Harris, which did NOT even mention the murder of the Bologna family by Illegals and Kamala’s removal of the death penalty (when she was San Francisco A-G) left me cold by his ignorance (or was it blatant disregard) of Kamala’s giving the gun-toting (in a gun-free city) ILLEGAL ALIEN who murdered the three Bologna men folk a pass.
And now Israel. Tucker and those like him who claim to be Christian Conservatives but behave more like spoiled Lib Dem brats on the subject are worthy of the deepest contempt. I always felt that FOX NEWS would rue the day they replaced the ULTRA-SMART & SAVVY Bill O’Reilly with this jerk and feel even stronger about it now.
I wish y’all to remember that in the Middle Ages when commerce. the need for currency grew greater, and the lending of money at interest among Christians was forbidden, our church fathers permitted the Jews among them, to be the money-changers. Hypocrisy and commerce made the Jews as a people the principal bankers of the world …. and thus, scapegoats for the world’s ills.
Also, Jews were often forbidden to own land or join Guilds. So that greatly limited their options and funneled them into certain lines of endeavor. Then, of course, they blame us for dominating those lines or creating entirely new ones like the motion picture industry.
I am struggling to understand the so-called Christian Zionist vs. the “anti-semitic” Christian (which violates the scriptures). You and Rick are both right.
As I understand it, the Jews have been expelled so many times from so many nations because they will not assimilate, but use their influence in ways calculated to undermine their host nations while favoring themselves. They are not Christian and harbor a hatred for Christians and the LORD Jesus Christ, whom the Talmud says is boiling in excrement in hell. Their expulsion was justified (rightly or wrongly) as a self-defensive measure. Scapegoating is certainly not out of the question. There is good and evil always present with men.
It is against diaspora law to ever undermine our `host’ country. It is rooted in the principle of dina de-malkhuta dina.
I had always thought of myself as a full American, never just some guest being hosted.
We don’t believe that hell exists.
I would say that a Christian Zionist is a Christian who believes that Jews have a right to a Jewish state on the territory of their ancient kingdom as promised to them by God. An anti-Semitic Christian hates Jews for some reason or another which, whether real or fictional, they never seem to lack for.
Even when he was on Fox News I started to question him. Partly how he was defending Putin but especially when him and his guests kept saying Iran wasn’t a threat to America. I guess he didn’t hear about the Iranian takeover of our embassy in 1979 or hezbollah bombing the Marines barracks in Beirut in 1983 killing 243 Marines, etc? Just ignore him.
FWIW:
I can’t honestly say that I liked or disliked Carlson because I seldom watched Fox News and preferred watching Fox Business instead. After he was fired from Fox news, I listened to his podcast on occasion but lost interest after a few months.
Nowadays, the only time I hear or read about Carlson is when he puts his foot in his mouth and yodels.
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”– Proverbs 4:7
As fellow Christians, surely the “Woke Right” understands this.
If you hate jews so much that now you are praising sharia you lost the plot.
It’s fair to criticize Tucker for his own comments, that is the American way.
Freedom of speech is also the American way which is what Tucker does when he allows guests to express their opinions, to which he is not required to respond to, or required to critique. Pundits have guests to find out what their guest’s opinions are, not to be an excuse for the host to express their viewpoints. Conservatives act like the liberals they critique when they personally attack other conservatives with differing views. I always thought freedom of speech, was one of the greater freedoms that conservatives supported, even speech not liked, I guess I was mistaken.
Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas. Tucker must be scratching continuously.