Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson a “useful idiot” after he teased an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On MSNBC Wednesday, host Alex Wagner asked the former first lady what Carlson’s upcoming interview says about him, right-wing media and Putin.
“Well, it shows me what I think we’ve all known,” Clinton said. “He’s what is called a useful idiot. I mean, if you actually read translations of what’s being said on Russian media, they make fun of him. I mean, he’s like a puppy dog. You know, somehow, after having been fired from so many outlets in the United States, he– I would not be surprised if he emerges with a contract with a Russian outlet because he is a useful idiot.”
“He says things that are not true,” Clinton continued. “He parrots Vladimir Putin’s pack of lies about Ukraine, so I don’t see why Putin wouldn’t give him an interview.”
Carlson has been accused of being a Putin apologist during his time at Fox. He regularly uses his platform to promote conspiracy theories about Ukraine and is a vocal critic of the U.S. sending military aid to Ukraine to defend themselves against Putin’s unprovoked invasion.
Carlson’s interview with Putin is largely seen as the Russian leader trying to make a direct appeal to American conservatives and Republicans in Congress as they weigh additional U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Clinton said the interview is “really quite sad” because it shows that there are people in America “who are like a fifth column from Vladimir Putin.”
“There is a yearning for leaders who can kill and imprison their opponents, destroy the press, lead a life that is one of impunity and bound by any laws,” she added. “There’s a yearning among certain people in our country for that kind of leadership. And I find that absolutely gobsmacking terrifying.”
