Fox News host Tucker Carlson has a long history of controversy

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Fox News host Tucker Carlson has a long history of controversy

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Tucker Carlson
  • Fox News host Tucker Carlson has ignited multiple waves of controversy in recent years with contentious comments about journalists, immigrants, and women.
  • Since receiving his own show on the Fox News in 2016, Carlson has had several controversies play out in front of one of the country's largest audiences. 
  • Most recently, Carlson can be heard on tapes from a shock-jock radio program - unearthed by progressive media watchdog Media Matters - defending convicted child sexual abuser Warren Jeffs and calling women "primitive." 

Fox News host Tucker Carlson is no stranger to controversy. 

Since getting his own show on the network in 2016 - which would eventually move into former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly's prime time slot - Carlson's on-air comments about journalists, immigrants, and women have landed him in hot water.

In the past few months, more than 30 companies have stopped airing advertisements during his show.

Most recently, Carlson can be heard on tapes from a shock-jock radio program - unearthed by progressive media watchdog Media Matters - defending convicted child sexual abuser Warren Jeffs and calling women "primitive." 

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Carlson was making headlines for controversial comments as early as 2011.

Carlson was making headlines for controversial comments as early as 2011.

While guest-hosting for Sean Hannity one night, Carlson said Michael Vick should be "executed" for his mistreatment of dogs.

While guest-hosting for Sean Hannity one night, Carlson said Michael Vick should be "executed" for his mistreatment of dogs.

Source: Business Insider

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Carlson later appeared on Hannity's show to retract his comment, saying he "overspoke" because he got "too emotional."

Carlson later appeared on Hannity's show to retract his comment, saying he "overspoke" because he got "too emotional."

Read more: Tucker Carlson Comes To His Senses: 'Of Course Michael Vick Shouldn't Be Executed'

In March 2016, Carlson was given his own show, "Tucker Carlson Tonight," which attracted massive audiences who would witness several of his most infamous on-air comments.

In March 2016, Carlson was given his own show, "Tucker Carlson Tonight," which attracted massive audiences who would witness several of his most infamous on-air comments.

Read more: Tucker Carlson's Fox News show debuts to phenomenal ratings, beats both CNN and MSNBC combined

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After a December 2016 interview with Teen Vogue contributor Lauren Duca boiled over to Carlson dismissing her commentary on President Donald Trump by telling her to "stick to the thigh-high boots," Duca said she received extensive bullying and harassment from hordes of men online.

After a December 2016 interview with Teen Vogue contributor Lauren Duca boiled over to Carlson dismissing her commentary on President Donald Trump by telling her to "stick to the thigh-high boots," Duca said she received extensive bullying and harassment from hordes of men online.

Read more: Teen Vogue writer receives threats after contentious Fox News interview

In a sort-of apology, Carlson said he regretted how he behaved, but he blamed Duca for being "mindless and nasty" on air, before calling her "vapid” and "not very impressive."

In a sort-of apology, Carlson said he regretted how he behaved, but he blamed Duca for being "mindless and nasty" on air, before calling her "vapid” and "not very impressive."

Source: Mediaite

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Tangling with controversy off the air, Carlson defended himself against an accusation from man named Juan Manuel Granados, who said Carlson assaulted him at a country club in Virginia in November 2018.

Tangling with controversy off the air, Carlson defended himself against an accusation from man named Juan Manuel Granados, who said Carlson assaulted him at a country club in Virginia in November 2018.

Read more: The man accusing Tucker Carlson of assault previously filed a successful discrimination suit against a Virginia health club

Video from the scene doesn't show Carlson assault anyone, and the host said the confrontation came after the man had approached his family.

Video from the scene doesn't show Carlson assault anyone, and the host said the confrontation came after the man had approached his family.

Read more: Tucker Carlson addresses assault allegation in first tweet since Fox News' Twitter blackout

Last month one of my children was attacked by a stranger at dinner. For her sake, I was hoping to keep the incident private. It’s now being politicized by the Left. Here’s what happened: pic.twitter.com/rwNoFYxMFv

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) November 11, 2018
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In December 2018, Carlson caused perhaps the biggest waves yet when he said immigrants would make the country "poorer and dirtier."

In December 2018, Carlson caused perhaps the biggest waves yet when he said immigrants would make the country "poorer and dirtier."

Read more: Advertisers are fleeing in droves after Tucker Carlson's comments about immigrants on Fox News — here's the list

At least 27 advertisers cut ties with Carlson's show in the months after his comments, including iHop, Red Lobster, and Samsung.

At least 27 advertisers cut ties with Carlson's show in the months after his comments, including iHop, Red Lobster, and Samsung.

Read more: Advertisers are fleeing in droves after Tucker Carlson's comments about immigrants on Fox News — here's the list

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Instead of apologizing, Carlson stood behind his comments and deemed the backlash an attack on free speech.

Instead of apologizing, Carlson stood behind his comments and deemed the backlash an attack on free speech.

Read more: People are saying the Tucker Carlson boycotts are a betrayal of free speech. They're wrong.

A series of tapes leaked in March 2019 contain some shocking comments that Carlson allegedly made while calling into the shock-jock radio program "Bubba the Love Sponge" from 2006 to 2011.

A series of tapes leaked in March 2019 contain some shocking comments that Carlson allegedly made while calling into the shock-jock radio program "Bubba the Love Sponge" from 2006 to 2011.

Source: Business Insider

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Carlson can be heard contesting the prosecution of former polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs, who was later convicted for child sexual abuse.

Carlson can be heard contesting the prosecution of former polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs, who was later convicted for child sexual abuse.

Source: Business Insider

The tapes also contained several different belittling comments about women, including Carlson saying he wouldn't have voted to confirm Supreme Court Elena Kagan because he didn't find her attractive, in addition to saying women are "extremely primitive" and "just need to be quiet."

The tapes also contained several different belittling comments about women, including Carlson saying he wouldn't have voted to confirm Supreme Court Elena Kagan because he didn't find her attractive, in addition to saying women are "extremely primitive" and "just need to be quiet."

Read more: Tucker Carlson refuses to apologize after tapes surface of him calling women 'primitive' and comparing them to dogs

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Carlson refused to apologize, saying he was "caught" saying "something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago."

Carlson refused to apologize, saying he was "caught" saying "something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago."

Read more: Tucker Carlson refuses to apologize after tapes surface of him calling women 'primitive' and comparing them to dogs

Several prominent conservative figures rushed to Carlson's defense, including Donald Trump Jr. who called detractors the "outrage mob."

Several prominent conservative figures rushed to Carlson's defense, including Donald Trump Jr. who called detractors the "outrage mob."

Source: Twitter

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Carlson's latest controversy comes just weeks after the Democratic National Committee announced it would bar Fox News from hosting debates during the 2020 US presidential primary.

Carlson's latest controversy comes just weeks after the Democratic National Committee announced it would bar Fox News from hosting debates during the 2020 US presidential primary.

Read more: Democrats blacklisted Fox News for the 2020 presidential primary debates — here's what's going on

The network has a history of standing by embattled figures, a record that might be tested as more tapes of Carlson's comments are set to drop the day before Fox News executives are set to meet with ad buyers.

The network has a history of standing by embattled figures, a record that might be tested as more tapes of Carlson's comments are set to drop the day before Fox News executives are set to meet with ad buyers.

Read more: New Tucker Carlson tapes will reportedly expose Fox News host's views on 'race and ethnicity' in strategically timed release

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