The Biden administration is denouncing Tucker Carlson after he hosted a guest on his show who suggested the Holocaust was an accident, calling it “a disgusting and sadistic insult to all Americans.” During the interview, the guest, Darryl Cooper, claimed that the mass murder of Jews by Nazi Germany was not intentional but rather poor planning. Cooper also claimed that Winston Churchill was the “chief villain” of World War II, which has been widely criticized, including by some right-wing figures who have defended Carlson in the past. Even Elon Musk, who initially promoted the interview, later deleted his post.
The White House also weighed in on the matter, with senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates releasing a statement calling the interview with a Holocaust denier spreading Nazi propaganda a “disgusting and sadistic insult.” Bates specifically refuted Cooper’s claim that Churchill was the “chief villain” of World War II, stating that Hitler was the real evil figure of the war. When reached for comment, Carlson sharply criticized the White House, calling them warmonger freaks and accusing them of bringing the country closer to nuclear war.
Many columnists have pointed out inaccuracies in Cooper’s remarks, including his assertion that the Nazis had no plan for housing prisoners of war, leading to millions of deaths in camps. The chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt, also condemned Carlson’s interview as “truly revolting.” Despite the controversy, Carlson’s embrace by the Republican Party continues, as he had a prime time speaking slot at the party convention in Milwaukee and is undertaking a live speaking tour this fall with events across the country.
The former Fox News host turned internet vlogger has stoked controversy through his web videos and speaking appearances, where he has interviewed radical figures like Alex Jones and given a platform to fringe voices. Carlson has faced backlash for his actions, with multiple conservative columnists questioning whether JD Vance, Donald Trump’s vice-presidential nominee, will continue with an appearance at a Carlson event. In response, the Vance campaign sought to distance the candidate from the interview, stating that Vance does not share the views of the guest interviewed by Carlson. Despite the criticism, Carlson remains popular within certain circles and continues to provoke outrage with his interviews and statements.
