Tucker Carlson attacks Ted Cruz for playing up January 6
The Fox News host is seeking reassurances after some of Mr Cruz’s recent comments on the Capitol riot
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fox News host Tucker Carlson blasted Senator Ted Cruz on Wednesday for daring to call the Capitol insurrection a “violent terrorist attack”.
Mr Carlson has gained a reputation as one of the media’s staunchest defenders of the 6 January rioters, which is currently being investigated by Congress.
By contrast, Texan Senator Cruz, who previously objected to the certification of President Joe Biden’s election in January 2021, has now attracted scathing criticism from some of his GOP allies for his critique of the insurrectionists.
“We are approaching a solemn anniversary this week,” Cruz said in a Senate Rules Committee hearing (via the Daily Beast).
“And it is an anniversary of a violent terrorist attack on the Capitol, where we saw the men and women of law enforcement demonstrate incredible courage, incredible bravery, risk their lives for the Capitol.”
Trump issues furious statement on Biden’s 6 Jan speech and repeats lies about stolen election
Jan 6 riot news – live: Biden condemns Trump and says Capitol rioters ‘held a dagger at the throat of America’
‘We are rotting in jail’: Capitol rioter demands Trump give 6 January speech to back him and co-prisoners
Those comments appeared to antagonise Mr Carlson, who has previously suggested the Capitol attack was a “false flag” orchestrated by federal agents in a bid to smear conservatives.
During his Fox show on Wednesday, the far-right broadcaster didn't hold back.
“What are they [the GOP] busy doing? Repeating the talking points that Merrick Garland wrote for them,” Mr Carlson decried before airing Mr Cruz’s new comments on the Capitol attack.
“Now let’s be honest,” Carlson proclaimed. “Everyone who’s conservative appreciates Ted Cruz. You may not like him. But you’ve gotta appreciate him. He’s legitimately smart. He’s one of the more articulate people to serve in Congress, maybe the most articulate.”
He added that Mr Cruz “doesn’t use a single word by accident”, and that the Texan representative is a shrew lawyer, for whom every word is “used intentionally.” Mr Carlson then mocked the notion of 6 January being an insurrection, before turning his crosshairs back onto one man.
“He [Mr Cruz] described January 6 as a violent terrorist attack. Of all the things January 6 was, it was definitely not a violent terrorist attack. It wasn’t an insurrection,” Carlson exclaimed. “Was it a riot? Sure. It was not a violent terrorist attack. Sorry! So why are you telling us it was, Ted Cruz?”
He concluded: “What the hell’s going on here? You’re making us think, maybe the Republican Party is as worthless as we suspected it was. That can’t be true. Reassure us, please, Ted Cruz.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments