'Has he been fired yet?': Tucker Carlson faces backlash for past comments degrading women
Old recordings of Tucker Carlson insulting women and defending statutory rape surfaced over the weekend. But the Fox News host refused to apologize, posting a statement to Twitter saying he was caught saying “something naughty” more than a decade ago and he wouldn’t “express the usual ritual contrition.”
The nonprofit Media Matters for America published transcriptions on Sunday of Carlson’s appearances on the Florida radio show Bubba the Love Sponge from 2006 and 2011. Over the years, Carlson defended statutory rape, called rape shield laws “unfair” and said child marriage isn’t the same as sexually assaulting a child because the adult “made a lifelong commitment to live and take care of the person.”
The audio recordings revealed Carlson using the c-word to refer to Martha Stewart’s daughter, Alexis Stewart, and calling Britney Spears and Paris Hilton “the biggest white whores in America.” He also said women are “extremely primitive” people who enjoy being told to “be quiet and kind of do what you’re told.”
Carlson was employed by MSNBC and then Fox News when these radio appearances took place.
He responded to widespread backlash Sunday night by telling people to watch his show if they want to know what he thinks.
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 11, 2019
Many people called for Fox News to fire Carlson over the misogynistic comments, using the hashtag #FireTuckerCarlson. Activist and actress Alyssa Milano reminded the journalist that he has three daughters.
Hey, @TuckerCarlson. Shame on you. You have daughters. https://t.co/HX5ePEMgCN
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 11, 2019
Would any advertiser on @foxnews permit their CEO or other executive officers to behave like dirtbag @TuckerCarlson? The answer is “NO.” If they do not demand his firing NOW, they are condoning his conduct. It is time for him to be fired – immediately.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 11, 2019
That thing where, you haven't looked at Twitter all day, and when you come back, something called the love sponge is trending and folks are trying to figure out how to make defending child rape okay to defend their favorite TV racist. Okay.
— Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) March 11, 2019
I truly hope, for the sake of women and girls around the world who deserve to be empowered and valued that @FoxNews #FireTuckerCarlson @TuckerCarlson
— April Thomas (@aprilsparkles1) March 11, 2019
Has he been fired yet? #FireTuckerCarlson https://t.co/0bD7HKgNjk
— Rebecca L (@grwaterfestiva1) March 11, 2019
Fox News has been embroiled in scandals over the last few years, including its former chairman and CEO, the late Roger Ailes, being accused of sexually harassing women for decades. More recently, a New Yorker report has alleged that a FoxNews.com reporter had the scoop on the Stormy Daniels story before the 2016 election but it was squashed by editors, and that Ailes may have fed Trump debate questions ahead of a 2015 GOP primary debate.
The day after Carlson’s past comments came to light, Fox News condemned host Jeanine Pirro for asking if Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Islamic religious beliefs are “antithetical” to the U.S. Constitution. The network has not yet commented on Carlson’s comments.
Well, this could be awkward: Fox News is supposed to host event for biggest advertisers and media buyers at their HQ this week. They wanted to reassure advertisers that controversies were behind them and safe to come back in water; also tout dependability of their programming.
— Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) March 11, 2019
Donald Trump Jr. came to Carlson’s defense, though, suggesting that everything the Fox News host said on Bubba the Love Sponge was satire.
For comments made on the “Bubba The Love Sponge” show. Obviously a serious policy show where no satire would be made.
The left is not going after @TuckerCarlson for any reason other then he’s effective at destroying their agenda. That’s what they do. https://t.co/ExtAY86q5i
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 11, 2019
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