In a candid discussion on MSNBC’s “Alex Wagner Tonight,” Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State, critiqued Tucker Carlson’s journalistic endeavors. Carlson, who is currently in Moscow, secured an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, becoming the first U.S. journalist to do so since the onset of the Ukrainian conflict.
During her appearance, Clinton expressed her views on Carlson’s actions and their potential implications on the perception of American media. “His actions are indicative of what many have believed for quite some time,” Clinton remarked. She continued to describe Carlson as a “useful idiot”—a term referring to a person being unwittingly manipulated to serve another’s purposes—suggesting that his coverage may be playing into the hands of Russian propaganda.
Russian outlets have reportedly mocked Carlson, likening his demeanor to that of an obliging puppy dog. Clinton voiced her lack of astonishment at the prospect of Carlson possibly receiving opportunities from Russian media considering his history of separations from previous media roles in the U.S.
Moreover, Clinton leveled criticisms at Carlson’s approach to reporting, accusing him of perpetuating falsehoods that align with narratives propagated by Putin, particularly concerning the situation in Ukraine. “He echoes the Kremlin’s deceptive narratives,” Clinton asserted, implying that Putin granting an interview to Carlson could serve as a vessel to further disseminate false information regarding Russia’s intentions in Ukraine.
The segment has added another layer of controversy to the already volatile discourse surrounding media partisanship and the international response to the Ukrainian crisis.
