When it comes to tough interviews, Republican contenders for the 2024 presidential election may have someone who can damage them more than even the liberal establishment media — conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
The former Fox News host may have effectively obliterated a couple of presidential campaigns with his tough line of questioning during the Family Leadership Summit forum on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Some did better than others.
However, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former Vice President Mike Pence faced severe backlash on social media due to their answers to Carlson’s questions, which did not beat around the bush about issues key to Republicans that other media outlets avoid.
Hutchinson’s comments about child gender transitions and Pence’s remarks about Ukraine and the Capitol incursion of Jan. 6, 2021, drew significant criticism. You could tell that Pence was visibly angry with Carlson, which did not help him as the former host of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” is still wildly popular with conservatives.
However, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former Vice President Mike Pence faced severe backlash on social media due to their answers to Carlson’s questions, which did not beat around the bush about issues key to Republicans that other media outlets avoid.
Hutchinson’s comments about child gender transitions and Pence’s remarks about Ukraine and the Capitol incursion of Jan. 6, 2021, drew significant criticism. You could tell that Pence was visibly angry with Carlson, which did not help him as the former host of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” is still wildly popular with conservatives.
TurningPoint USA founder Charlie Kirk made a point of posting the video of the Carlson’s exchange with Pence:
That prompted Pence to respond on Twitter, with his full response. However, the damage may already have been done.
During a wrap-up of the Iowa event, conservative commentator and radio host Glenn Beck asked Carlson if he thought any of the candidates would be able to take on the deep state — the intelligence agencies and federal bureaucracy of Washington, D.C.
Pretty tough, pretty tough,” Carlson responded. “There’s a lot of power vested in federal agencies … theres no oversight at all. Congress provides no oversight. Intel Committees do not oversee the intel agencies. They are controlled by the intel agencies.”
“There’s no backstop,” Carlson said, emphasizing the need for necessary housecleaning within the system. He noted that the candidates’ stance on this issue would play a crucial role in the campaign.
Beck openly admitted to bursting into laughter at the responses provided by certain candidates. Hutchinson found himself on the receiving end of laughter from both Carlson and Beck for saying he was not defending administering hormones to kids as “treatment.”
Carlson mocked Hutchinson’s response: “Really? I think you are,” Carlson said.
“That’s not exactly an F. Lee Bailey cross-examination, Carlson said. “I’m not an O.J. lawyer. It’s pretty simple.”