Tucker Carlson’s Shift: From Right-Wing Commentary to Anti-Zionist Rhetoric

In a surprising turn, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has increasingly adopted anti-Zionist arguments, blurring the lines between the political right and left on issues surrounding Israel and antisemitism. This shift has included hosting figures from across the political spectrum who share critical views of Israel, and adopting rhetoric traditionally associated with leftist critiques of Israeli policy.

Carlson’s Interviews and Evolving Stance

In December 2024, Carlson hosted Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, on his show. The Times of Israel reported that Carlson largely deferred to Albanese’s explanations of the conflict, stating, “The idea that they’ve killed tens of thousands of women and children, non-combatants, accidentally, is a lie. No, they murdered them.”

This contrasted sharply with a subsequent interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, where Carlson challenged justifications for Israel’s existence, questioning the historical connection of Israeli Jews to the land. He specifically pointed out that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ancestors originated from Poland, not the region. The Times of Israel highlighted this as an example of Carlson utilizing talking points commonly found on the left.

In December 2025, Carlson further questioned U.S. Support for Israel, asking why the U.S. Would defend “mass murder in Gaza” simply because Israel, its “greatest ally,” demands it. Biblescienceforum.com reported that Carlson also interviewed Albanese to define the situation in Gaza as genocide.

Carlson has also interviewed figures such as Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s, commentator Cenk Uygur, and journalist Glenn Greenwald on the left, and Holocaust denier Darryl Cooper, white supremacist Nick Fuentes, and conspiracist Ian Carroll on the right. The Times of Israel noted that while Carlson gives these figures airtime, his recent statements sound more like leftist anti-Zionism.

The Horseshoe Theory and Political Convergence

Carlson’s adoption of anti-Zionist arguments has been cited as an example of the “horseshoe theory” of politics, which suggests that the far-left and far-right converge on certain issues, particularly regarding Israel and Jews. The Times of Israel explains that the former US antisemitism envoy, Deborah Lipstadt, described this as both extremes being “closer to one another on the issue of antisemitism than they are to the center.”

Lipstadt further explained in 2024 that adherence to conspiratorial worldviews, anti-hierarchical aggression, and a preference for authoritarianism are more accurate predictors of antisemitic worldviews than simply left-right political alignment. The Times of Israel reported this observation.

Shared Rhetoric and Accusations

Both Carlson and figures on the left have accused Israel of collective punishment, targeting journalists in Gaza, disputing the historical connection between Biblical Jews and modern Israelis, and criticizing US aid to Israel. The Times of Israel detailed that Carlson’s insistence on genetic testing to prove Jewish connection to the land echoes the anti-Zionist “Khazar hypothesis.”

Both sides also express sympathy for traditional enemies of the West and share similar criticisms of US foreign policy, often portraying Israel as controlling US presidents and foreign policy decisions. The Times of Israel noted that both sides tend to dismiss accusations of antisemitism as bad-faith attempts to protect Israel.

Implications and Normalization

Carlson’s shift has garnered attention from across the political spectrum, with his interview with Huckabee receiving praise from leftist media figures. The Times of Israel reported that Islamist anti-Zionist activists have also shared clips of the interview on social media.

This convergence highlights a growing normalization of anti-Zionist rhetoric and a blurring of lines between legitimate political discourse and discrimination. The Times of Israel concludes that while not a perfect circle, the increasing overlap between the far-left and far-right on this issue represents a significant development in US political discourse.