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Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Welcome to the Resistance? Tucker Carlson Is Leading New Anti-War Movement
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Comedian Jon Stewart never expected to nod in agreement with Tucker Carlson. But as the former Fox News host grilled Senator Ted Cruz over U.S. involvement in Israel's war on Iran, Stewart, a longtime critic of Carlson, found himself aligned with an unlikely ally. "We're in such a bizarro world, you've got me nodding my head to Tucker Carlson videos," Stewart said on his podcast Thursday. "You got Tucker Carlson going, 'Why are we going to war with Iran again?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, you tell him, brother!'" The fiery exchange between Carlson and Cruz, part of a now-viral two-hour interview, illustrated the public civil war erupting among Trump allies over the conflict between Israel and Iran, and redefined Carlson's role in the current landscape — not just as a conservative firebrand, but as one of the leading critics of Trump-era foreign policy. Carlson, once a full-throated supporter of the Iraq War, is now one of the most vocal anti-interventionists on the American right. His opposition to military action in Iran isn't particularly surprising for those who have followed him from his perch at Fox News to his role as a podcast host and independent content creator. He holds similar views on the war in Ukraine. But the force of his criticism, especially toward figures like Cruz, caught many off guard. That includes many on the left, like Stewart, who wondered why Carlson was asking some of the more pointed questions in the media about the U.S. role in the latest Mideast conflict. Former Fox News television personality Tucker Carlson speaks to guests at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Former Fox News television personality Tucker Carlson speaks to guests at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo byWelcome to the Resistance? Carlson's interview and opposition to intervention has found support beyond his usual base. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, former Obama staffer Tommy Vietor, and liberal pundits like Mehdi Hasan and Hasan Piker all praised Carlson for confronting Cruz in ways mainstream media often do not. The reason it matters Ted that you didn't know Iran has over 90 million people is that it makes any regime change war far more difficult, costly, and prolonged than Iraq which had about 25 million in 2003. — Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) June 18, 2025 "I haven't seen Ted Cruz get pummeled like this since Trump insulted his wife and father during the 2016 primary," Vietor said. "If he keeps these interviews up, Tucker Carlson is going to have to start selling body bags." Mehdi Hasan, the former MSNBC host turned Substack creator, said he was struck by the contrast with mainstream interviewers. "I remain amazed that it took Tucker Carlson to ask these obvious questions of a U.S. senator, and expose the nonsense that he peddles about Israel and God and the Bible," Hasan said. "All these years, all of the Sunday show interviewers and the rest never asked these simple questions." Hasan Piker, the popular podcaster considered by some to be the "Joe Rogan of the left," added: "Why is Tucker Carlson capable of conducting an adversarial interview about the dangers of American intervention in Iran with Ted Cruz better than everyone else in legacy media? Shame." Eric Alterman, a CUNY distinguished professor of journalism at Brooklyn College, told Newsweek the interview "made quite a splash" because major outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and MSNBC rarely press Republican politicians with such direct, confrontational questions. He said traditional media often avoid challenging topics like Israel out of fear of appearing partisan or facing backlash. "Mainstream media usually want to present both sides. They're hesitant to seem biased," Alterman said. "And with Democrats currently lacking clear direction, many outlets are reluctant to take the lead themselves." He added that mainstream pundits also tend to be strongly supportive of Israel. "So when Trump signals support for Israel in a possible war with Iran, there's often little pushback," he said. Carlson, unconstrained by such limits as a now self-employed online gadfly, didn't hesitate to press Cruz on his support for Israel. "You don't know anything about Iran," he told the Texas senator during the interview, even questioning his understanding of Israel's significance to Christians. Cruz responded by accusing Carlson of antisemitism, saying, "You're asking, why are the Jews controlling our foreign policy. That's what you just asked." Carlson pushed back, in another clip from the one-on-one that went viral: "That does not make me an antisemite, and shame on you for suggesting otherwise." Yet his interrogation of Cruz—raising accusations of antisemitism and criticizing the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)—revealed a deeper divide over what "America First" means in 2025. MAGA loyalists like Laura Loomer, in a particularly profane post, called Carlson a "c--- warmer for Arabs", while Trump mocked Carlson publicly, calling him "kooky" and suggesting he should find a TV network to hire him if he wanted anyone to listen. The full interview with Cruz is approaching 8 million views on Carlson's X account, and another 2.5 million on YouTube — or more than three times Fox News' average primetime audience. For Alterman, the media analyst, the virality of the exchange with Cruz underscored Carlson's unique media position. "Tucker can do this because he has his own platform and audience," he said. "Even if Trump denounces him, his followers will stick with him. He's not beholden to the traditional media structure, and he's not scared of Trump like many others are." A Media Giant Of His Own Senator Ted Cruz pictured in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 02, 2025 in Washington, DC (left) and Tucker Carlson at a Turning Point Action campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on October... Senator Ted Cruz pictured in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 02, 2025 in Washington, DC (left) and Tucker Carlson at a Turning Point Action campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on October 23, 2024 in Duluth, Georgia (right). More Win McNamee/Anna Moneymaker/GETTY Carlson's growing influence, particularly on platforms like X and YouTube, reflects a broader shift identified in the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025. According to the report, Americans—especially younger, conservative-leaning men—are increasingly turning away from traditional outlets in favor of personality-driven voices across digital platforms. The study found that 54 percent of U.S. adults now primarily access news through social media and video networks, with trust in conventional journalism continuing to erode. The report also revealed a striking finding: 14 percent of Americans encountered political content from Tucker Carlson in the week following the Trump inauguration, placing him ahead of many institutional media brands in terms of reach among key demographics. The authors noted that "right-leaning audiences now dominate the conversation on platforms like X," with Carlson cited as one of the most influential figures in the new fragmented media environment. That independence has allowed Carlson to shape political narratives in ways mainstream journalists often cannot—or will not. "The media landscape is splintering," Alterman said. "Different groups trust different voices. Tucker is speaking directly to a segment of the Trump base that's skeptical of endless war and not particularly attached to the old neocon worldview." As The Independent's Richard Hall observed of Carlson: "He knows the ways of the neocons — their secrets, their tricks, their dodges — because he was once one of them." In that way, Carlson's transformation from a cheerleader of the Iraq War to one of its fiercest critics on the right is what makes his case against Iran so potent—and so politically disruptive.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kara Swisher reveals ‘rage machine' Kelly begged her for podcast advice: ‘Remember, Megyn, I did help you!'
Another front opened up in the deepening personal rift between Kara Swisher and Megyn Kelly this week as Swisher revealed that Kelly had pleaded for the tech podcaster's advice after the former Fox News host decided to go the independent route herself. During Thursday's broadcast of On with Kara Swisher, MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace and Swisher talked about Kelly's 'confounding' pivot to 'really angry' MAGA pundit in recent years, lamenting that she had once been 'one of the best to ever do' cable news. 'I don't watch her anymore, but I thought her observations about where the industry was heading were right,' Wallace, who previously served as George W. Bush's communications director, said about Kelly's time as a primetime Fox News anchor. At the same time, they brought up Kelly's recent interview with The New York Times in which she said that 'the future involves direct relationships between individual journalists and their audience, or personalities.' Kelly also insisted that the current mode of cable news and broadcast journalism 'is dying, if not dead.' 'I think she's right,' Wallace reacted, prompting Swisher to recount the time that Kelly sought her guidance following Kelly's unceremonious exit from NBC News in 2019. 'Just so you know, Megyn Kelly doesn't like Kara Swisher, but at the time that happened, she called me and we had drinks and I talked to her about this and how to do it,' Swisher noted. 'Just remember, Megyn, I did help you!' Both Wallace and Swisher would criticize Kelly for the 'confounding choice' she has since made in becoming a rabid pro-Trump commentator who devotes an outsized portion of her programming to right-wing culture wars and picking fights with other media personalities and celebrities. 'I think it's just terrible and angry, really angry, at especially women,' Swisher sighed, prompting Wallace to add: 'Yes! She hates us more!' In the end, Swisher figured that their observations would only serve as more ragebait for Kelly, who now ranks as the third-most popular conservative podcaster in America. 'She'll have a show on this soon. So, good, great to give you content, Megyn,' Swisher snarked. The Independent has reached out to Kelly's representatives for comment. Swisher's latest broadside against Kelly comes months after Kelly blew up when the tech insider called her a 'rage machine' who 'screams at women' while she does her 'little act.' During the podcast she co-hosts with Scott Galloway, Swisher asked about Kelly in March: 'What is wrong with her?' Kelly, meanwhile, responded on her SiriusXM show by describing Swisher as 'a very tough, ballsy, openly lesbian woman' who is 'literally known' for 'walking away with people's balls.' Accusing Swisher of being 'nasty,' Kelly also recounted Swisher's reaction after finding out that Kelly's sister had passed away from a heart attack. According to Kelly, she canceled a planned appearance on Swisher's show because of her sister's death, leading Swisher to joke to Kelly's assistant: 'Oh, that sounds like a good idea and I certainly hope she'll stay off X in the meantime.' While Swisher would respond that she 'was only joking' after Kelly's assistant clarified the cancellation was due to a death in the family, Kelly said this was proof of Swisher's awful personal character. 'She tries to cover her own ass because she knows she's now made herself look terrible,' Kelly said, adding that the relationship between the pair had fallen apart afterwards. 'From that point forward, all she's done is rip on me, and frankly, vice versa. I mean, I just see her very differently now. I think she's a bad person.'
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Kara Swisher reveals ‘rage machine' Kelly begged her for podcast advice: ‘Remember, Megyn, I did help you!'
Another front opened up in the deepening personal rift between Kara Swisher and Megyn Kelly this week as Swisher revealed that Kelly had pleaded for the tech podcaster's advice after the former Fox News host decided to go the independent route herself. During Thursday's broadcast of On with Kara Swisher, MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace and Swisher talked about Kelly's 'confounding' pivot to 'really angry' MAGA pundit in recent years, lamenting that she had once been 'one of the best to ever do' cable news. 'I don't watch her anymore, but I thought her observations about where the industry was heading were right,' Wallace, who previously served as George W. Bush's communications director, said about Kelly's time as a primetime Fox News anchor. At the same time, they brought up Kelly's recent interview with The New York Times in which she said that 'the future involves direct relationships between individual journalists and their audience, or personalities.' Kelly also insisted that the current mode of cable news and broadcast journalism 'is dying, if not dead.' 'I think she's right,' Wallace reacted, prompting Swisher to recount the time that Kelly sought her guidance following Kelly's unceremonious exit from NBC News in 2019. 'Just so you know, Megyn Kelly doesn't like Kara Swisher, but at the time that happened, she called me and we had drinks and I talked to her about this and how to do it,' Swisher noted. 'Just remember, Megyn, I did help you!' Both Wallace and Swisher would criticize Kelly for the 'confounding choice' she has since made in becoming a rabid pro-Trump commentator who devotes an outsized portion of her programming to right-wing culture wars and picking fights with other media personalities and celebrities. 'I think it's just terrible and angry, really angry, at especially women,' Swisher sighed, prompting Wallace to add: 'Yes! She hates us more!' In the end, Swisher figured that their observations would only serve as more ragebait for Kelly, who now ranks as the third-most popular conservative podcaster in America. 'She'll have a show on this soon. So, good, great to give you content, Megyn,' Swisher snarked. The Independent has reached out to Kelly's representatives for comment. Swisher's latest broadside against Kelly comes months after Kelly blew up when the tech insider called her a 'rage machine' who 'screams at women' while she does her 'little act.' During the podcast she co-hosts with Scott Galloway, Swisher asked about Kelly in March: 'What is wrong with her?' Kelly, meanwhile, responded on her SiriusXM show by describing Swisher as 'a very tough, ballsy, openly lesbian woman' who is 'literally known' for 'walking away with people's balls.' Accusing Swisher of being 'nasty,' Kelly also recounted Swisher's reaction after finding out that Kelly's sister had passed away from a heart attack. According to Kelly, she canceled a planned appearance on Swisher's show because of her sister's death, leading Swisher to joke to Kelly's assistant: 'Oh, that sounds like a good idea and I certainly hope she'll stay off X in the meantime.' While Swisher would respond that she 'was only joking' after Kelly's assistant clarified the cancellation was due to a death in the family, Kelly said this was proof of Swisher's awful personal character. 'She tries to cover her own ass because she knows she's now made herself look terrible,' Kelly said, adding that the relationship between the pair had fallen apart afterwards. 'From that point forward, all she's done is rip on me, and frankly, vice versa. I mean, I just see her very differently now. I think she's a bad person.'
The Hill
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Hill
Cuban says he turned down Harris team offer to be vetted as VP
Investor Mark Cuban said Thursday that Vice President Harris's team offered to vet him as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election. He ultimately turned the job down, citing a novice political background and an inability to be second in command. 'I'm not very good as the number two person. And so, if the last thing we need is me telling Kamala, you know, the president, that, no, that's a dumb idea. Right. And I'm not real good at the shaking hands and kissing babies,' he told Tim Miller from The Bulwark. Miller said he'd heard about the offer through 'green room gossip' at MSNBC and wanted to know how the electoral outcome might be have been swayed if Cuban was were the Democratic nominee for vice president instead of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D). <<changed tenses to reflect conditional tense with was/were However, the 'Shark Tank' investor said it wouldn't have changed much. 'My personality is completely different than Tim's. My experiences, my backgrounds are completely different. I think I've cut through the shit s—more directly. I'm not a politician. And so it would have been different, but it would have been awful,' Cuban said. 'She would have fired me within six days.' Cuban served as a surrogate for Harris during the 2024 campaign and ruffled feathers with his sharp rebuke for President Trump. The billionaire said he rarely followed notes issued by the campaign team and publicly broke with Harris on some of her proposed policies on immigration and taxes. Despite small clashes, Cuban said he thought Harris would prevail. 'You know, I really thought she was going to win,' he told Miller.
New York Post
19 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Mark Cuban reveals Kamala Harris considered him as a potential VP — but turned her down
Mark Cuban revealed that former Vice President Kamala Harris had considered him as a potential running mate in her bid for the White House last year – but he turned her down. The billionaire entrepreneur, who served as a high-profile surrogate for Harris's failed campaign, made the shocking admission in a sneak preview of 'The Bulwark' podcast after host Tim Miller pressed him about 'some green room gossip at MSNBC' related to the request. The former 'Shark Tank' judge said the Democrat's team had reached out to ask him to submit vetting materials – but he felt a review of his extensive background would be a waste of time. 4 Mark Cuban made the shocking admission in a sneak preview of 'The Bulwark' podcast. The Bulwark 'My response was I'm not very good as the number two person,' Cuban told Miller in a clip of Friday's episode. 'And so if the last thing we need is me telling Kamala, you know, the president that, no, that's a dumb idea. And I'm not real good at the shaking hands and kissing babies.' 4 Kamala Harris ultimately chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to join her losing ticket. AFP via Getty Images Miller responded by telling the Dallas Mavericks minority owner that he may have been a bigger – and 'meaningfully different' – asset to Harris's campaign than Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who she ultimately chose to join her losing ticket. 'I mean, obviously it would have been different,' Cuban said, noting that he's not a politician. 'My personality is completely different than Tim's. My experiences, my backgrounds are completely different. I think I've cut through the sh–t more directly. I'm not a politician. And so, it would have been different, but it would have been awful.' 4 Host Tim Miller pressed Cuban about some gossip he had heard at MSNBC related to the request. The Bulwark The businessman joked that Harris probably would have fired him within six days. Miller pushed back, saying that Cuban joining the presidential ticket would have been 'better than the present situation,' referring to President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who overwhelmingly won the election last November. 4 The former 'Shark Tank' judge said the Democrat's team had reached out to ask him to submit vetting materials. Getty Images 'Well, yea, that's true. But, you know, I really thought she was going to win,' Cuban replied. Cuban actively campaigned for Harris on the trail, even facing some backlash after claiming Trump does not surround himself with 'strong, intelligent women' during an appearance on 'The View.' He immediately regretted his careless remarks and tried to clear them up — later congratulating the commander in chief for winning the election 'fair and square.'
