Tucker Carlson Is a Lot of Things But He Is Not Dumb, Jon Stewart Reminds Us

By Andrew Sanford | TV | February 20, 2024 |

By Andrew Sanford | TV | February 20, 2024 |

Tucker Carlson is not an idiot. He’s racist, hateful, dangerous, and dishonest, but he’s not dumb. You can (and should) call him an imbecile as a pejorative, but it can’t be said that he doesn’t know what he’s doing. In his attempts to appeal to people who would sooner believe that top-level Democrats drink the blood of children to smooth their wrinkles, there is no depth that Carlson won’t sink to. To make that abundantly clear, he recently traveled to Russia to praise it as a beacon of commerce and freedom, something Jon Stewart wouldn’t let slide.

Carlson’s videos about his trip to Russia are like a puff piece on steroids. Vladimir Putin, a ruthless dictator, is praised as a leader Americans should strive for. He skips around a Russian grocery store like he’s never seen food before, ignoring that most Russians cannot afford the amount he spends on groceries. At one point, Putin blames the invasion of Poland during WWII on Poland, and Carlson stops just short of throwing on an Ed McMahon mask and yelling, “You are correct, sir!”

Stewart, who has not been shy about criticizing Carlson in the past, does not hold back in his criticism of the former FOX host. It’s the kind of ruthless bite that makes Stewart who he is. Yes, Carlson is an easy target, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be called out. There’s a kind of catharsis to it. I have family members who employ the same ignorance Carlson does when it comes to Putin, but I can’t yell at them without ruining a birthday party or potluck dinner.

It’s also interesting to see Stewart cover this story a week after getting called out for criticizing Biden (which he addresses). It is important to remember that, in countries like Russia, Stewart wouldn’t have been able to do what he did last week (whether or not you think it was ill-timed is a different discussion). He offered pertinent criticism of Biden and TFG and won’t have to worry about being thrown in jail. Meanwhile, Carlson has to act like no graffiti means political assassinations are fine.

Carlson did try to disavow the assassination of Alexei Navalny. However, it’s a little late for that. Putin has always been a murderer. You can’t travel to his land with the intent of praising him and then act shocked when he continues to be who he has always been. I mean, you can, but then you’d be a dishonest loser like Carlson. Something he doesn’t seem to have any problem with.