The transformation of Tucker Carlson, a journalist who once spoke truth to power, into a far-right firebrand who peddles hate speech and conspiracy theories, is a story that haunts the halls of conservative media. According to a new book by Jason Zengerle, "Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind", Carlson's evolution from a gifted young writer to a notorious provocateur was precipitated by his own hubris and inability to adapt to changing times.
In 2009, at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Carlson delivered a speech that would become a defining moment in his career. He argued that right-wing media needed to be more responsible, calling on publications to hold themselves to a higher standard of accuracy. The crowd was hostile, with many conservatives booing and jeering at him.
Fast-forward to today, and Carlson is widely regarded as one of the most toxic figures in conservative media. His show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, has become a platform for spreading conspiracy theories, hate speech, and white nationalism. He has given airtime to guests who have been accused of promoting extremist ideologies, and has even suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Jewish president of Ukraine, is "sweaty and ratlike" and "a persecutor of Christians".
Zengerle's book offers a detailed account of Carlson's rise to power and his subsequent downfall. The author notes that Carlson's obsession with building buzz for his show led him to hire more aggressive and unscrupulous reporters, including those with far-right views. He also reveals that Carlson "confided to multiple people" a fear that Trump or an intelligence service was recording their phone calls to use against them later.
Despite the controversy surrounding his show, Carlson remains a significant figure in conservative media, with millions of followers tuning in each night. Zengerle notes that Carlson's influence is not just a product of his own charisma but also of the ears he has at the highest levels of power and wealth.
In the end, Zengerle's book raises more questions than it answers. Why was Carlson fired from Fox in 2023, amidst controversy and disputes over his conduct? Will he run for president? And how earnestly does he hold his increasingly out-there views?
Zengerle's answer to these questions is that they matter less than the fact that Carlson says them at all. This rings true, given the harm that has been caused by Carlson's rhetoric and the platform he has used to spread hate and misinformation.
Ultimately, "Hated by All the Right People" offers a fascinating and disturbing look at the rise of Tucker Carlson as a symbol of the unraveling of conservative media. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked hubris, the erosion of journalistic standards, and the corrupting influence of power and wealth.
In 2009, at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Carlson delivered a speech that would become a defining moment in his career. He argued that right-wing media needed to be more responsible, calling on publications to hold themselves to a higher standard of accuracy. The crowd was hostile, with many conservatives booing and jeering at him.
Fast-forward to today, and Carlson is widely regarded as one of the most toxic figures in conservative media. His show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, has become a platform for spreading conspiracy theories, hate speech, and white nationalism. He has given airtime to guests who have been accused of promoting extremist ideologies, and has even suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Jewish president of Ukraine, is "sweaty and ratlike" and "a persecutor of Christians".
Zengerle's book offers a detailed account of Carlson's rise to power and his subsequent downfall. The author notes that Carlson's obsession with building buzz for his show led him to hire more aggressive and unscrupulous reporters, including those with far-right views. He also reveals that Carlson "confided to multiple people" a fear that Trump or an intelligence service was recording their phone calls to use against them later.
Despite the controversy surrounding his show, Carlson remains a significant figure in conservative media, with millions of followers tuning in each night. Zengerle notes that Carlson's influence is not just a product of his own charisma but also of the ears he has at the highest levels of power and wealth.
In the end, Zengerle's book raises more questions than it answers. Why was Carlson fired from Fox in 2023, amidst controversy and disputes over his conduct? Will he run for president? And how earnestly does he hold his increasingly out-there views?
Zengerle's answer to these questions is that they matter less than the fact that Carlson says them at all. This rings true, given the harm that has been caused by Carlson's rhetoric and the platform he has used to spread hate and misinformation.
Ultimately, "Hated by All the Right People" offers a fascinating and disturbing look at the rise of Tucker Carlson as a symbol of the unraveling of conservative media. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked hubris, the erosion of journalistic standards, and the corrupting influence of power and wealth.
I think this whole thing just goes to show that when you're in power, it's easy to get caught up in your own ego and lose sight of what really matters. Tucker Carlson was once a talented journalist trying to make a difference, but now he's just spreading hate and propaganda like it's going out of style. 
And the crazy thing is, his platform and influence have grown despite all the controversy surrounding him. It's like he's been able to tap into this deep well of conservative outrage and fear, and now he's milking it for all it's worth. 
That's what scares me, because if we let people like Carlson get away with spreading hate and misinformation, we're just going to continue down a path that leads to more division and chaos. 
And another thing, I think the whole thing with his book being compared to his show is telling – both are all about building buzz and getting attention, even if it's at someone else's expense. It's like he's become this master puppeteer, pulling strings from behind the scenes to get whatever reaction he wants. 
I'm genuinely surprised that someone like Tucker Carlson can still have such a huge following 
. Like, he's basically just spreading hate speech and conspiracy theories 24/7 
.
. It's like, we've lost sight of what's truly important - fact-based reporting and respectful dialogue 
. And it's not just about Carlson; it's about all the platforms and outlets that enable this kind of toxic behavior 
.
Like, we need to start holding them to a higher standard of journalistic integrity 
. Otherwise, we're just perpetuating this cycle of toxicity 
.
he went from being a decent journalist to spreading hate speech and conspiracy theories on his show 
.
. The guy was once decent, but he just got more and more extreme over time, and now he's basically a hate speech machine 
. I think it's weird that people still watch his show despite knowing what they're getting themselves into 
.
. Anyway, I think this book is a good read if you want to understand how Carlson became so toxic, but don't expect any easy answers 
.
Newsflash, Tucker: you're not smart; you're just loud.
. It's like, where did it all go wrong? 
.
. Maybe his book will be a wake-up call for those who still think conservative media is all about holding truths, not just spewing hate 
.
. It's definitely given me a lot to think about 
.
. I mean, who needs accuracy or balance when you can just stir up controversy and grab attention? It's like Carlson took a page from the Trump playbook: be loud, be provocative, and watch your ratings go through the roof 
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[A picture of Tucker Carlson with his face Photoshopped onto a pig's body]
I'm not gonna lie, I kinda feel bad for Fox News, they gotta be eating their words right now.
The book does a great job of explaining why he's so influential, but at the end of the day, it just goes to show that power and wealth can corrupt anyone.
. The book is definitely thought-provoking, but sometimes I wish he'd just shut up already! 
like what happened at cpac in 2009 was a major turning point for him - he wanted to hold conservatives accountable but ended up getting booed by his own crowd 
it's crazy how he went from wanting better standards in conservative media to spreading that same hate 
His show is like a never-ending parade of conspiracy theories and white nationalism... it's just gross 
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. And let's not forget the time he called Volodymyr Zelenskyy "sweaty and ratlike" 
- that kind of language has no place in public discourse.