Tucker Carlson faces backlash from Ben Shapiro and Dan Bongino
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The gist
Conservative podcasters Ben Shapiro and Dan Bongino publicly attacked former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
The feud shows Carlson's break with parts of the right.
Background
Tucker Carlson is a former Fox News host who, after being fired, became head of an independent network that the Quillette essay describes as "unburdened by editorial oversight." The New York Times recently described him as an "influential far-right podcaster…known for his nativist rhetoric." The current wave of criticism follows his recent statements defending progressive Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and assailing GOP contender former Rep. Mike Rogers, as well as his comments on Israel and Gaza.
How it unfolded
- Sep 20, 2026The New York Times published a news article on Carlson's statements defending Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and assailing former Rep. Mike Rogers.
- Oct 11, 2026Zehut Party Chairman Moshe Feiglin issued a sharp response to Carlson after Carlson criticized Feiglin's statements advocating the destruction of Gaza.
- Oct 12, 2026Carlson's interview with Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, premiered.
- Oct 15, 2026Candace Owens backed Carlson in his feud with Ben Shapiro, accusing Shapiro of a "hostile" view of Christians.
- Oct 16, 2026Ben Shapiro posted a video titled "Tucker Carlson Needs to Rein It In," and Media Matters reported Dan Bongino's rant against Carlson.
- Oct 17, 2026Quillette published "The Radicalisation of Tucker Carlson" by Matt Johnson.
Who’s saying what
- Critics
- Ben Shapiro said Carlson will "find an excuse to support" anyone who is "anti-Israel, preferably antisemitic," and Dan Bongino accused Carlson of "doing everything they can to demoralize you two weeks before an election."
- Support
- Candace Owens backed Carlson in his feud with Shapiro, accusing Shapiro of having a "hostile" view of Christians.
- Press critique
- Mother Jones's David Corn argued the New York Times and NPR "failed to convey just how extreme" Carlson has become.
- Foreign official
- Zehut Party chairman Moshe Feiglin accused Carlson of hypocrisy and questioned his authority to lecture Israel on morality.
Still unverified
Carlson said he received texts from people saying AI doomerism "is a psyop" aimed at regulatory capture; Tristan Harris said China is running propaganda against US data center buildouts to stoke opposition.