Fox's Tucker Carlson attacks Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth's patriotism, gets blowback
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is now on presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's short list of potential running mates. "You're not supposed to criticize Tammy Duckworth in any way because she once served in the military," Tucker Carlson said on his Fox News show Monday night. But he went on to criticize her anyway. "Most people just ignore her," Carlson said. "But when Duckworth does speak in public, you're reminded what a deeply silly and unimpressive person she is."
After showing a clip from Sunday talk shows, Carlson claimed that Duckworth, who lost both legs when the Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting was shot down in Iraq in 2004, and other top Democrats "actually hate America." Duckworth suggested Carlson "walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America," referencing both the Bible and the reason she was awarded a Purple Heart.
Carlson may have been born into wealth and privilege, but he has steered his show to No. 1 on cable news. His comments on race have led to a sizable pullout of advertisers but they've also raised his profile as a possible 2024 Republican presidential nominee, meaning it's not impossible he could face off against Duckworth for higher stakes than cable news ratings in four years. You can watch Carlson's comments below. Peter Weber
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Could smaller cars bring down vehicle prices?Today’s Big Question Trump seems to think so, but experts aren’t so sure
-
2025’s most notable new albumsThe Week Recommends These were some of the finest releases of the past year
-
Trump aims to take down ‘global mothership’ of climate scienceIN THE SPOTLIGHT By moving to dismantle Colorado’s National Center for Atmospheric Research, the White House says it is targeting ‘climate alarmism’
-
Jack Smith tells House of ‘proof’ of Trump’s crimesSpeed Read President Donald Trump ‘engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election,’ hoarded classified documents and ‘repeatedly tried to obstruct justice’
-
House GOP revolt forces vote on ACA subsidiesSpeed Read The new health care bill would lower some costs but not extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies
-
Hegseth rejects release of full boat strike footageSpeed Read There are calls to release video of the military killing two survivors of a Sept. 2 missile strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat
-
Trump vows naval blockade of most Venezuelan oilSpeed Read The announcement further escalates pressure on President Nicolás Maduro
-
Kushner drops Trump hotel project in SerbiaSpeed Read Affinity Partners pulled out of a deal to finance a Trump-branded development in Belgrade
-
Senate votes down ACA subsidies, GOP alternativeSpeed Read The Senate rejected the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, guaranteeing a steep rise in health care costs for millions of Americans
-
Abrego García freed from jail on judge’s orderSpeed Read The wrongfully deported man has been released from an ICE detention center
-
Indiana Senate rejects Trump’s gerrymander pushSpeed Read The proposed gerrymander would have likely flipped the state’s two Democratic-held US House seats
