Tucker Carlson branded a 'propagandist' ahead of his interview with Putin

07 February 2024 , 10:56

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Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News presenter, has been labelled a "propagandist" and faced calls to "not be allowed back in the country".

This comes after he announced on X - previously known as Twitter - that he's in Russia to interview President Vladimir Putin. Carlson, who was sacked by Fox News for becoming "he got too big for his boots,", according to Brian Stelter's book 'Network of Lies', said he would share the "unedited" chat with Putin on his website and X.

His decision sparked outrage online, with many reminding him that while he claims to be "doing journalism", several reporters from Russia and the US are currently imprisoned in Russia for trying to reveal the truth about the war in Ukraine and Putin's regime.

One user, @caslernoel, voiced their hard-hitting opinion, saying: "The US should just consider Tucker Carlson a foreign agent of a hostile nation and not allow him back into the country. Let him live in Moscow, he can do his little fascist podcast from Russia."

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Tucker Carlson branded a 'propagandist' ahead of his interview with Putin

Tucker Carlson caused a stir when he posted a video captioned 'Why I'm interviewing Vladimir Putin' (X)

Meanwhile, another user, @EHunterChristie, remarked that the idea of free speech being supported here was quite ridiculous, stating: "While you enjoy the show, please bear in mind there are several American journalists in Russia on a long-term basis, of which two are in prison, censored by Russia, jailed by Russia. Because that's how that country works: if you're not careful with what you say, you're thrown in prison."

@Den35Echo47789 added: "Tucker is selling Americans false pretenses," and further added, "there is no freedom of anything in Russia. There's no justice system. People aren't as wealthy as Tucker will get a much different and unfriendly experience."

"It's not interviewing a world leader. It's interviewing an international wanted criminal," claimed @NLstyle85 about the much-anticipated broadcast.

Another tweeter, @JayinKyiv echoed these sentiments, adding: "Being paid by hostile foreign regimes to platform their narratives isn't journalism, it's terrorism."

Putin has not been interviewed by a western journalist since he declared war on Ukraine two years ago (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"We already know exactly what will be discussed in the interview because Tucker is not a journalist - he's a propagandist," pointed out @DrewPavlou.

Tucker Carlson was seen at the Bolshoi Theatre watching a ballet on Saturday, sparking talk he's in Russia to chat with Putin. Yesterday, Carlson shared on X: "We are in Moscow".

He added: "Tonight we're here to interview the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. We'll be doing that soon."

Carlson explained in a video: "There are risks to conducting an interview like this, obviously," "So we thought about it carefully over many months. Here's why we're doing it. First, because it's our job. We're in journalism. Our duty is to inform people, two years into war that's reshaping the entire world."

"Most Americans are not informed", he said.

Finally, Carlson said: "We are not here because we love Vladimir Putin. We are here because we love the United States. We want to remain prosperous. And free. We paid for the trip ourselves. We make no money from any government or group. Nor are we charging people to see the interview".