Tucker Carlson accused CBS News and radio host Mark Levin of working in lockstep to destroy Congressman Thomas Massie over his outspoken criticism of US aid to Israel. In a furious monologue, Carlson claimed Massie had become the target of a political and media machine determined to silence anyone questioning Washington's relationship with the Israeli government.
The row exploded after Massie commented on the huge sums of money pouring into hisKentucky primary race. During an interview with CBS, the congressman claimed donors linked to pro-Israel lobbying groups had spent millions attempting to defeat him politically.
The interview quickly became tense after the reporter repeatedly pressed Massie on whether his comments could be viewed as anti-Semitic. Massie strongly rejected the accusation and insisted his criticism was aimed at foreign policy and political funding, not Jewish people.
Carlson seized on the exchange almost immediately.
According to Carlson, the CBS interview crossed the line from journalism into what he described as 'slander posing as a question.' He argued there was no evidence Massie held anti-Semitic views and accused the network of deliberately framing opposition to Israeli policy as hatred towards Jewish people.
The former Fox News host insisted Massie's position was simple. He said the congressman opposed sending more American money overseas and believed the United States should place its own national interests first.
Carlson also targeted Levin, claiming the conservative broadcaster repeated almost identical attacks against Massie despite spending years criticising mainstream media tactics himself.
Levin had blasted Massie's supporters as extremists and claimed figures backing the congressman were aligned with anti-Israel movements and radical groups. He accused Massie of attracting support from people hostile to both Israel and Jewish communities.
Carlson mocked those remarks and argued Levin was effectively using the same arguments as the CBS interviewer.
The commentator claimed Massie's critics were unable to accept that an American politician could oppose aid to Israel without harbouring anti-Semitic beliefs. According to Carlson, any challenge to the US-Israel alliance now triggers immediate accusations of extremism.
Source: International Business Times UK
