Controversial right-wing US presenter Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be published on Thursday. The former star presenter of the conservative US news channel Fox News wrote on the online platform Instagram on Wednesday that the recorded interview would be shown on his website at 6 p.m. (US Eastern time; Friday 00:00 CET). It is Putin’s first interview with a Western journalist since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began almost two years ago.
Carlson is known for sharply right-wing positions, the spread of conspiracy theories, a close proximity to former US President Donald Trump – and, with regard to the Ukraine war, for a very Russia-friendly and Kiev-critical stance. He has repeatedly criticized US aid to Ukraine. It is therefore feared that Carlson will provide Putin with a platform for spreading propaganda.
The USA has been Kiev’s main supporter since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. However, the opposition Republicans in Congress have been blocking the release of new military aid for months.
For years, Tucker Carlson was one of Fox News’ most recognizable faces, garnering a large following among right-wing television viewers. He was fired last April after Fox News had to reach an expensive settlement with a voting machine company in the dispute over false voter fraud allegations following the 2020 presidential election.
Carlson has since published interviews on the online platform X, formerly Twitter, which have been viewed millions of times. Trump was also among his interview guests.
