WASHINGTON — US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee scoffed Tuesday at a verbal assault from Tucker Carlson, through which the right-wing pundit accused him of affected by the “mind virus” of Christian Zionism.
Throughout a sitdown with white nationalist Nick Fuentes,Carlson had name-dropped Huckabee, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), former Nationwide Safety Adviser John Bolton, longtime GOP strategist Karl Rove, and former President George W. Bush as examples of individuals he dislikes “greater than anyone” for his or her staunch help of Israel.
“Wasn’t conscious that Tucker despises me. I do get that so much from individuals not acquainted with the Bible or historical past,” Huckabee, the previous governor of Arkansas, responded on X. “Someway, I’ll survive the animosity.”
Carlson, 56, and Huckabee, 70, are former colleagues at Fox Information, with each internet hosting eponymous applications on the cable information large.
On Monday, Carlson dropped an episode of his podcast that includes Fuentes, a far-right 27-year-old who has groused that “the GOP is run by Jews, atheists, and homosexuals.”
In the course of the interview, Fuentes pitched his weird concept that neoconservatism arose from “Jewish leftists who have been mugged by actuality after they noticed the shock assault within the Yom Kippur Battle [in 1973].”
“How do you clarify Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz … who I’ve seen be seized by this mind virus, and so they’re not Jewish. Most of them are self-described Christians. They usually’re Christian Zionists,” Carlson requested Fuentes in response.
“Like what’s that? I can simply say that for myself, I dislike them greater than anyone as a result of … it’s Christian heresy and I’m offended by that as a Christian.”
Fuentes beforehand declared in 2023 that “I believe the Holocaust is exaggerated,” a sentiment he has echoed a number of instances.
“I don’t hate Hitler. I believe there’s a Jewish conspiracy. I consider in race realism,” he added, in line with the Anti-Defamation League.
Carlson’s interview with Fuentes got here after years of him souring on US help for Israel, accusing the American ally of meddling in home politics and elevating issues concerning the plight of Christians within the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Earlier this 12 months, Carlson acquired right into a spat with Cruz over his help of Israel throughout a heated interview with the Texas senator. The previous “Tucker Carlson Tonight” host has additionally invited friends resembling historian Darryl Cooper, who has argued that Winston Churchill, not Adolf Hitler, was the principle “villain” of World Battle II.
“Mike Huckabee is a pastor and a patriot who loves America, loves Israel, and loves Jesus. I’m proud to be in his firm!” Cruz posted on X in response to Carlson’s dig at him and Huckabee.
“Thanks @tedcruz for the good phrases,” the ambassador answered. “You certain deal with me higher than Tucker and Fuentes! Might the icing in your cake be piled excessive!”
Fuentes and Carlson had beforehand been at loggerheads previous to Monday’s interview, with Fuentes publicly mocking Carlson for claiming he solely found his late father’s work for the CIA after his passing.
Throughout an interview with Candace Owens earlier this 12 months, Carlson alleged — with out proof — that Fuentes was a federal agent of some type.
The previous Fox Information host additionally complained that Fuentes had taken public photographs at Vice President JD Vance, for whom Carlson’s son works, and bashed him as a “bizarre little homosexual child in his basement.”
“I’m sorry I known as you homosexual, by the best way, however I’m all the time, I believe I’m simply too previous or one thing. I’m like, ‘Why [isn’t] anybody married?’” Carlson mentioned throughout his sitdown with Fuentes.
The 2 additionally bonded about how they thought the opposite was a fed.
