Former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has strongly criticized American news anchor Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that has captured substantial media attention.
During a conversation with MSNBC host Alex Wagner, Clinton used the term “useful idiot” to describe Carlson. Historically, this term has been used to depict individuals seen as unwitting propagandists for causes they may not fully comprehend. Clinton used the phrase to express her disapproval of Carlson’s engagement with the Russian President.
The interview between Carlson and Putin, announced by Carlson on a social media platform earlier this week, is a significant media event. The interview, aired on Carlson’s website, represents Putin’s first formal discussion with a Western journalist since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started on February 24, 2022.
Carlson, a former host on Fox News, has been a contentious figure due to his political views and commentary. He has publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the military assistance provided to Ukraine by the U.S. government.
Clinton voiced reservations about Carlson’s journalistic endeavor, insinuating that his actions might lead to further opportunities within Russian media circles. “You know, he somehow – after having been fired from so many outlets in the United States – I would not be surprised if he emerges with a contract with a Russian outlet because he is a useful idiot,” Clinton remarked. She also accused Carlson of disseminating false information and echoing Putin’s narrative on the Ukraine conflict, thereby questioning the journalistic ethics and motivations behind the interview.
Russian officials indicated that Carlson’s unique viewpoint on the Ukraine conflict justified the Russian President’s engagement. According to the Kremlin, Carlson’s perspective differs from the largely one-sided coverage prevalent in Western media, providing an outlet for Russian perspectives on the war to be directly relayed to an American audience.
Clinton’s comments are not the only critique surrounding the interview. The White House and various media observers have expressed concerns about providing Putin with a platform that could be used to rationalize the war in Ukraine without critical examination. Additionally, Russian state media has been observed to increase coverage of Carlson’s trip to Moscow, with some outlets ridiculing the American public’s reaction and speculating about Carlson’s motives and the potential impact of his interview.
Despite the criticism, supporters of Carlson uphold the interview as an application of freedom of speech, contending that showcasing a variety of viewpoints is crucial for a thorough understanding of global conflicts. Carlson has made clear his desire to enable Americans to hear Russia’s account of the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the significance of journalistic investigation and dialogue.