Ted Cruz walks back claim Capitol rioters were terrorists, but Tucker Carlson isn't buying it: 'I just don't believe you'

On Thursday, Senator Ted Cruz appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” where he defended a statement he made on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol building.

“It is an anniversary of a violent terrorist attack on the Capitol,” Cruz said. “Where we saw the men and women of law enforcement demonstrate incredible courage, incredible bravery, risk their lives to defend the men and women who serve in this Capitol.”

Carlson, who has repeatedly downplayed the events of that day, took issue with the senator labeling the rioters as terrorists, calling Cruz a liar for saying that. So Cruz appeared to walk back his earlier statements.

“I wasn't saying the thousands of peaceful protesters supporting Donald Trump are somehow terrorists,” Cruz explained. “I didn't say the millions of patriots cross-country supporting Trump are terrorists.”

While Cruz tried to placate the highest rated cable news host, Carlson wasn’t having any of it.The Fox News personality challenged the conservative lawmaker.

“Wait, wait, wait, can I just ask, I guess I just don't believe you,” Carlson told the senator. “And I mean that with respect, because I have such respect for your acuity and your precision.”

Carlson continued his revisionist history of the attacks, to the point in which he and Cruz came to an impasse.

“It would be ridiculous for me to be saying that the people standing up, protesting to follow the law, are somehow terrorists. And you and I both agree, if you attack a cop you should go to jail.” “Yeah, but you are not a terrorist.”

Video Transcript

TED CRUZ: The way I phrased things yesterday, it was sloppy and it was frankly dumb. And as a result--

TUCKER CARLSON: I don't buy that. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I don't buy that! Look, I've known you a long time since before you went to the Senate.

KYLIE MAR: On Thursday, Senator Ted Cruz appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight, where he defended a statement he made on the eve of the one year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol building.

TED CRUZ: There's 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, risked their lives to defend the men and women who serve in this capital.

KYLIE MAR: Carlson, who has repeatedly downplayed the events of that day took issue with the senator labeling the rioters terrorists calling Cruz a liar for saying that. So Cruz appeared to walk back his earlier statements.

TED CRUZ: I wasn't saying that the thousands of peaceful protesters supporting Donald Trump are somehow terrorists. I wasn't saying the millions of patriots across the country supporting President Trump are terrorists.

KYLIE MAR: While Cruz tried to placate the highest rated cable news host, Carlson wasn't having any of it.

TUCKER CARLSON: Wait, wait. Can I just ask? Hold on. You work in-- I guess I just don't believe you, and I mean that with respect because I have such respect for your acuity and your precision.

KYLIE MAR: Carlson continued his revisionist history of the attacks to the point in which he and Cruz came to an impasse.

TED CRUZ: It would be ridiculous for me to be saying that the people standing up and protesting to follow the law were somehow terrorists. I was talking about people who commit violence against cops. And you and I both agree, if you commit violence against cops, you should go to jail.

TUCKER CARLSON: Yeah, but you're not a terrorist.