The 'most embellished, crazy' story of Tucker Carlson's first grade teacher
It appears that for Tucker Carlson, host of Fox News' ratings-hogging Tucker Carlson Tonight, the penchant to exaggerate started early.
A formative anecdote Carlson shared in his 2018 book Ship of Fools was recently debunked by his first grade teacher as "the most embellished, crazy thing I ever heard," The Washington Post reports.
The Fox host had written that his distaste for liberals began at seven years old, with his teacher Marianna Raymond — a "parody of mother-earth liberalism" who "wore long Indian-print skirts." He claimed Raymond eschewed "conventional academic topics, like reading and penmanship," and would sob "theatrically" at her desk. "Mrs. Raymond never did teach us [to read]; my father had to hire a tutor to get me through phonics," Carlson wrote in Ship of Fools. His "sojourn as a conservative thinker" began shortly thereafter, adds the Post.
Subscribe to 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.
Raymond, however, has a completely different account of Carlson's time in her class at the affluent La Jolla Country Day School. She remembers Carlson as "very precious and very, very polite and sweet," and denies sobbing at her desk, wearing an Indian skirt, or venturing into political territory at all. What's more, not only did she teach Carlson reading in the classroom — she was later hired to tutor him at home, the Post reports.
She was completely unaware how Carlson had "ridiculed her as a key to understanding him." "Oh my God," Raymond told the Post. "That is the most embellished, crazy thing I ever heard." Read more at The Washington Post.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published