Putin—
During the more than two-hour interview between Vladimir Putin and Tucker Carlson, it became apparent why the Russian leader granted Carlson such access.
Throughout the discussion, Carlson, once a Fox News host turned online commentator, largely refrained from challenging Putin, the Russian authoritarian whose actions in Ukraine have resulted in significant loss of life. Those anticipating a rigorous exchange would have been disappointed by the interview’s meandering nature, with Carlson occasionally seeming disoriented.
Rather than confronting Putin on pressing issues such as credible accusations of war crimes committed by Russia or the imprisonment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Carlson provided the autocrat with a platform to narrate his version of events unchecked. Putin was able to manipulate the narrative and present his perspective, even schooling Carlson on historical matters while the host appeared bewildered. In essence, Carlson allowed Putin to disseminate his propaganda to a global audience with minimal scrutiny.
CNN’s chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, remarked that the interview demonstrated that it was Putin’s platform from the outset, noting Carlson’s lack of control over the conversation. The interview underscored Putin’s ability to utilize media appearances to shape public perception, furthering his agenda without facing significant challenge or accountability.
During the interview, Tucker Carlson appeared to validate Vladimir Putin’s conspiracy theories rather than challenging them. For instance, when Putin suggested that unelected powers within the Central Intelligence Agency control the U.S. government, Carlson failed to push back or question the absurdity of such claims.
This lack of scrutiny handed Putin a significant propaganda victory, allowing him to twist the encounter to his advantage. The fact that Russian state-run media swiftly amplified the interview underscores its value as a tool for Putin’s narrative. TASS prominently featured the interview on its homepage, emphasizing Putin’s assertion that Ukraine is an “artificial state,” while RT, despite being marginalized in much of the Western world, aired substantial portions of the interview and boasted about its viewership numbers.
Overall, the interview provided Putin with a platform to disseminate his propaganda, amplifying his narrative to a broader audience without facing substantial critique or challenge.
Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin wasn’t surprising given Carlson’s shift towards sympathy for the Russian government in recent years. While he once criticized Russia, Carlson’s commentary on Ukraine’s conflict has been notably favorable towards Moscow, even making disparaging remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Putin’s decision to grant an interview to Carlson reflects this alignment of views. Unlike traditional journalists who would have pressed Putin on critical issues, Carlson’s unique perspective was seen as advantageous by the Kremlin. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson, acknowledged Carlson’s differing stance from the rest of Western media as a reason for selecting him.
During the interview, Carlson did raise the issue of imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, advocating for his release. However, his remarks were met with criticism from The Journal, with journalist Ted Mann emphasizing that Gershkovich wasn’t breaking any laws and should be released immediately. The Journal reiterated its demand for Gershkovich’s release, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime.
Overall, the interview highlighted Carlson’s stance on Russia and his role in providing a platform for Putin’s narratives, despite criticisms and calls for journalistic integrity.