Tucker Carlson Faces Backlash for Interview with White Nationalist Praising Dictators

Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson is facing renewed criticism, including from fellow conservative media figure Ben Shapiro, following an interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes in which Fuentes reportedly praised former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. The controversy erupted after a tweet from "The Ben Shapiro Show" on November 4, 2025, stated, "This is how Tucker Carlson runs cover for dictatorships." The tweet pointed to Carlson's recent content as evidence of this pattern.

The interview, released on November 3, 2025, featured Fuentes expressing supportive words for Stalin, a figure responsible for millions of deaths. Ben Shapiro, in his own commentary, strongly criticized Carlson for the interview, stating that Carlson "decided to normalize and fluff Nick Fuentes." This incident has reignited debates within the Republican Party and conservative media about antisemitism and the normalization of extreme views.

This is not the first time Carlson has drawn accusations of providing a platform for or being sympathetic to authoritarian figures. In February 2024, Carlson conducted a high-profile interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was widely condemned by critics, with former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger calling Carlson a "traitor." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also publicly accused Carlson of "working for Putin" and "licking his a**" in February 2025, following Carlson's remarks calling Zelensky a "dictator."

Carlson has also been noted for his favorable commentary on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, presenting Hungary as an "exemplar of western civilization." These instances contribute to a pattern critics identify as Carlson's willingness to engage with or promote figures and ideologies associated with authoritarianism. The recent interview with Fuentes and the subsequent backlash from within conservative circles underscore the ongoing scrutiny of Carlson's influence and editorial choices in the media landscape.