Tucker Carlson Named “Antisemite of the Year” Amid Rising Concerns About His Platform
In a striking development that has sent ripples through media and political circles, podcaster and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has been named “Antisemite of the Year” by StopAntisemitism, a prominent Jewish civil rights organization. The designation comes after a year in which Carlson has repeatedly provided platforms to individuals expressing antisemitic views, most notably his controversial October interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. This recognition reflects growing concerns about the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric in mainstream media channels and the potential consequences of such normalization in an era of increasing hate crimes against Jewish communities.
The decision to award Carlson this dubious distinction was not made lightly but came after what StopAntisemitism describes as “an overwhelming vote margin.” Liora Rez, founder and executive director of the organization, explained their reasoning: “Carlson’s divisive, hateful, and dangerous rhetoric and his repeated glowing interviews with bigots and Hitler apologists have made him the most reviled Jew-hater over the last 12 months.” This designation reflects a troubling pattern observed by the organization, wherein Carlson has consistently provided a platform for individuals with well-documented histories of antisemitic speech, while often framing these conversations in ways that normalize or minimize harmful ideologies. The organization had previously named Carlson their “Antisemite of the Week” in October, even before his interview with Fuentes, citing his tendency to “use his platform of millions to normalize antisemitism.”
The October interview with Nick Fuentes represents perhaps the most controversial example of Carlson’s platforming of antisemitic voices. Fuentes, a known white nationalist, has repeatedly pushed conspiracy theories about “Jewish control” of American institutions, denied the Holocaust, and called for what he described as a “holy war” against Jews. During their conversation, Fuentes expressed admiration for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, who implemented policies that discriminated against Jews. Rather than challenging these views, Carlson used the opportunity to criticize “Christian Zionists” for supporting Israel, claiming they had been “seized by this brain virus” and singling out prominent Republicans including former President George W. Bush and Senator Ted Cruz. “I dislike them more than anybody,” Carlson stated, further fueling controversy about his own positions on Israel and Jewish issues. This interview created significant divisions among conservatives, with figures like Ben Shapiro calling for right-leaning groups to sever ties with Carlson, while others, including Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts, defended him.
StopAntisemitism has raised specific concerns about Carlson’s rhetorical strategies, which they characterize as particularly dangerous due to his significant reach and influence. According to the organization, Carlson often plays the role of provocateur, asking questions designed to elicit inflammatory responses while maintaining plausible deniability about his own views. This approach allows for “the spread of falsehoods and antisemitic narratives without directly saying them himself.” Among the examples cited by the organization are Carlson’s criticism of pro-Israel Jewish conservatives like Ben Shapiro for being “focused on a conflict in a foreign country as their own country becomes dangerously unstable” – language that StopAntisemitism argues invokes the antisemitic “dual loyalty” trope suggesting Jewish Americans’ primary allegiance is to Israel rather than the United States. Similarly concerning to the organization was Carlson’s interview with Holocaust revisionist Darryl Cooper, who claimed Nazis didn’t intend to kill Jews and blamed Winston Churchill for World War II, with Carlson praising him as “the best and most honest popular historian in the United States.”
The “Antisemite of the Year” designation comes at a time of heightened concerns about rising antisemitism globally and in the United States specifically. Liora Rez emphasized this context in her statement: “Antisemitism is surging in the U.S. and abroad, and it is increasingly driven by people with powerful platforms…not just by fringe extremists.” This recognition of Carlson’s influence speaks to broader concerns about how high-profile media personalities can shape public discourse and potentially contribute to an environment where hatred becomes normalized. “Words don’t kill,” Rez noted, “but they dig the graves by inflaming hatred and inspiring unstable actors. Words have consequences, and in today’s environment, they can and do pave the way to real-world violence and deadly attacks on Jews.” These concerns reflect data showing significant increases in antisemitic incidents in recent years, with Jewish advocacy groups tracking everything from online harassment to physical attacks on synagogues and Jewish individuals.
In selecting Carlson for this designation, StopAntisemitism considered other notable contenders whose statements have raised similar concerns. The organization’s finalists included mixed martial arts fighter Bryce Mitchell, who called Hitler a “good guy” who “wanted to purify [Germany] by kicking the greedy Jews out,” and alt-right conspiracy theorist Stew Peters, who produced content titled “HoloHoax” and referred to Israel as the “synagogue of Satan.” The inclusion of children’s podcaster Ms. Rachel and actress Cynthia Nixon among the top ten contenders indicates the organization’s concern about antisemitic rhetoric across the political and cultural spectrum. As of reporting, Carlson has not responded to requests for comment about the designation. The recognition serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing antisemitism in public discourse and the particular responsibility borne by those with significant platforms to consider the impact of their words and the voices they choose to amplify.
