Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, accusing him of playing a leading role in demonizing the idea of providing military aid to Ukraine. McConnell asserted that Carlson’s actions ultimately led him to the logical conclusion of his pro-Russian stance: an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin that gave the Russian leader a platform to spread his propaganda.
Referring to Carlson’s controversial two-hour interview with Putin in February, McConnell stated, “I think the demonization of Ukraine began by Tucker Carlson, who in my opinion ended up where he should have been all along, which was interviewing Vladimir Putin.” Carlson’s interview with Putin drew widespread criticism for his failure to challenge Putin’s dubious claims and declarations.
McConnell acknowledged that Carlson’s views had a significant impact on Republican views of the war. He pointed to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s previous statement, made a year ago, that the war was not a vital national interest. DeSantis later retracted his statement in the face of heavy criticism.
Other senior Republicans have also expressed concerns about the infiltration of what they view as Russian propaganda in conservative media and among their party’s base. House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) has spoken out about anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages emanating from Russia and finding their way into conservative circles.
Even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Carlson had labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and questioned why the United States was not siding with Russia in the conflict. McConnell’s criticism of Carlson is a sign of growing Republican concern over the spread of Russian propaganda and its impact on the party’s stance toward Ukraine.
