Tucker Carlson, the ex-Fox News host and a figure associated with far-right commentary, has revealed that his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be broadcast on Thursday, February 8.
Scheduled for 6 p.m. Eastern Time, the interview will be available on Carlson’s personal website, marking a significant moment as Putin engages with a Western media personality for the first time since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
Carlson, known for his supportive stance towards Putin and for voicing narratives that align with Kremlin's viewpoints against the West, aims to present what he believes to be an unexplored perspective of the Russian leader to his audience.
In a video titled "Why I'm Interviewing Vladimir Putin," Carlson expressed concerns over the American public's lack of direct exposure to Putin’s rationale and objectives in Ukraine, critiquing Western media for not adequately portraying Russia's war narrative.
The upcoming interview has ignited a mixture of anticipation and controversy. Carlson has faced criticism for his contentious remarks and for promoting narratives seen as supportive of Russian propaganda.
His skepticism towards increased U.S. military aid to Ukraine and previous attempts to secure an interview with Putin, purportedly blocked by the U.S. government, have also been points of contention.
Reactions in the U.S. to Carlson’s announcement have been polarized, with figures like former Representative Adam Kinzinger labeling him a “traitor,” while far-right Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene defends the initiative against what she perceives as Democratic and media backlash.
This interview not only represents a pivotal moment for Carlson but also for the broader discourse surrounding the Ukraine conflict, as it brings Putin’s perspective directly to a Western audience amidst ongoing tensions and differing narratives about the war.