Tucker Carlson criticized comedian Jon Stewart as “a tool of the regime” following Stewart’s sharp comments about Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Stewart criticized Carlson on his late-night show on Comedy Central for his recent visit to Moscow, where he commended the Russian economy and infrastructure shortly before the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison.
“That’s kind of what I was saying: Even the Russians under Vladimir freaking Putin can live like this. And no, it’s not a feature of dictatorship. That’s the most, I think, discouraging and most dishonest line by people like Jon Stewart who really are trying to prepare the population for accepting a lot less. He is really a tool of the regime in a sinister way, always has been.” Carlson said.
The commentator bashed Stewart and others who ridiculed him for his factual comments about life in Russia.
“Like, ‘How dare you expect that? What are you, a Stalinist?’ It’s like, no, I’m an American. I’m like a decent person. I just want to be able to walk to the grocery store without being murdered. … It’s really dark if you think about it, you know?” Carlson said.
Carlson was removed from his position as host of a prime-time show on Fox News last year and has since started his own media company.
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