Tucker Carlson succumbed to individuals who used Charlie Kirk assassination to promote their careers and ambitions.
Instead of calling anyone in name, right-wing commentators assert that act, especially when the “foreign heads of state” were executed, people were witnessing “disgusting”.
“I think to the people who people jump into, especially foreign heads of state, 'It's his life, my career,' or anything else,” Carlson told Vice President JD Vance in a special edition of Charlie Kirk. “It's really disgusting. Actually, don't do that. It makes everyone bad. You won't do that. It's also untrue.”
Tucker Carlson had a brief conversation with Vice President JD Vance on Monday. /Charlie Kirk Performance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to issue a statement after Kirk's death. Carlson, who has publicly opposed the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites throughout the summer, also mentioned on Monday’s show that Kirk opposes “changing the regime against Iran’s war.”
Many speculate that Carlson's “foreign head” remarks were back-to-back remarks in a brief section of Monday's show, referring to Netanyahu.
Netanyahu posted to X on the day Kirk was assassinated: “Charlie Kirk was murdered for telling the truth and defending freedom. He was a lion friend of Israel, who fought against lies, stood up against the Jewish-Christian civilization. I spoke to him two weeks ago and invited him to faith with Israel only two weeks ago. Free speech will leave a lasting impact.
Others were accused of using Kirk's death for their own benefit. Wired reported that extremist groups used Kirk’s murder to recruit and radicalize new members, and Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox called social media companies “conflict entrepreneurs” and rewarded provocateurs who caused anger and division.
“I think it's the wrong time to properly remember someone and the emotions that come with it,” Carlson said. “There's a real strong emotion for all of us about his murder and use it for your own narrow-minded purposes.”
Vance, 41, has not disputed the subject. He hosted a show at the White House on Monday and conducted brief interviews with government officials, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt, chief of staff Susie Wiles and her deputy Stephen Miller.
Carlson told the vice president that when he first met Kirk ten years ago, he worked hard to take him seriously because of his age. Carlson noted that Kirk died at the age of 31, similar to his son Buckley, who is Vance's deputy press secretary.
“I've known him for years, and for over a decade, I finally learned from him,” Carlson said. “And I say that because he's gone. I mean sincerity. The main thing I learned from him is how to disagree with the topic you take very seriously on the topic and they take it very seriously and don't hate them and don't feel pain.”