Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has announced plans to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, marking the first one-on-one interview with a Western journalist since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Carlson stated that he wanted to conduct the interview because he believes Americans have a right to know more about the conflict that is reshaping the world. This decision has sparked controversy given Carlson’s vocal support for Putin and criticisms of Western media coverage of the conflict.
The 54-year-old Carlson emphasized that he paid for the trip to Russia himself and blamed the mainstream media for not sufficiently informing Americans about the war in Ukraine. He criticized Western journalists for conducting “fawning pep sessions” with Ukrainian President Zelensky, characterizing it as government propaganda. Meanwhile, he noted the lack of interviews with Putin and expressed concerns about the risks of conducting such an interview. The interview is expected to be uploaded live and unedited to Carlson’s social media account, with support from Elon Musk, the platform owner.
While at Fox News, Tucker Carlson was known for his influential late-night political talk show, which frequently set the agenda for conservatives and the Republican Party. Carlson’s upcoming interview with Putin has stirred controversy and will be closely watched due to his polarizing views and outspoken support for the Russian president.