Writing by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal

Written with the help of Grok AI. Image by Grok AI.

“Ben Shapiro will not be a factor in America in 5 years. I can promise you that.”
— Tucker Carlson, November 12, 2025

In a fiery showdown at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 in Phoenix on December 19, Ben Shapiro didn’t mince words when he took aim at Tucker Carlson, labeling him a “coward” and “fraud” who peddles “anti-American conspiracy theories” to mislead audiences. Shapiro, previously personally targeted by the increasingly “just asking questions” antisemite Carlson (likely for his pro-Israel stance) urged conservatives to prioritize facts over emotion, accusing Carlson of being a grifter who exploits gullible viewers for personal gain while undermining the movement—including efforts to fracture Donald Trump’s base. This confrontation highlights a deepening rift in conservatism: Shapiro, a staunch defender of America’s genuine ally Israel, contrasts sharply with Carlson’s cozying up to Qatar, a nation criticized for its ties to terrorist groups like Hamas and Iran. As Shapiro put it, Carlson and similar figures are “charlatans” destroying conservatism from within. This profile examines Carlson as an insincere gaslighter profiting off the American public, drawing on his history of contradictions, selective outrage, and apparent attempts to sabotage Trump, all while framing his actions through a lens of facts over manipulative emotional appeals.

A Profile of Insincerity: Motives and Personality

Tucker Carlson’s motives and personality appear driven by a complex interplay of financial ambition, psychological needs, and a hunger for influence and power. Financially, his shift toward provocative, isolationist commentary—including sharp criticisms of Israel while offering softer treatment to Qatar—has proven highly lucrative; after leaving Fox News in 2023, he launched the subscription-based Tucker Carlson Network (backed by millions in funding) and independent platforms that capitalize on a loyal, polarized audience, boosting his estimated net worth to between $30–50 million through digital ventures, podcasts, and high-viewership interviews. This suggests a pragmatic motivation: controversy sustains relevance and revenue in a crowded media landscape, where “America First” rhetoric and selective foreign policy critiques resonate with subscribers wary of traditional alliances. Psychologically, Carlson exhibits traits often associated with narcissism and a thin-skinned defensiveness—public incidents of anger when personally challenged (e.g., confrontations with critics) contrast sharply with his aggressive interviewing style, hinting at a need for control and admiration while resisting scrutiny. Analyses frequently type him as an ENTP personality (debater archetype): quick-witted, ambitious, limelight-seeking, and domineering when thwarted, with a progressive drive for new ideas but impatience toward setbacks. His private texts revealing disdain for figures like Trump (later publicly disavowed) and evolving stances—from once condemning antisemitic rhetoric in others to facing similar accusations himself—point to possible psychological ambivalence or opportunistic adaptation, where personal qualms yield to audience demands. At the core, power seems the dominant motive: Carlson positions himself as a populist truth-teller challenging elites, yet his selective outrage (harsh on Israel, lenient on Qatar amid denied financial ties) and platforming of fringe voices amplify divisions within conservative circles, enhancing his role as a gatekeeper of “authentic” discourse. This profile paints a charismatic, entrepreneurial provocateur—intellectually curious yet ego-driven—who thrives on debate and influence, but whose contradictions (public bravado masking private frustration) reveal a deeper need for validation in America’s polarized arena, often at the expense of unity in the Trump-era GOP.

Playing the Character: The NSA “Spying” Incident

In June 2021, Tucker Carlson dramatically claimed on his Fox News show that a whistleblower had informed him the NSA was actively spying on his texts and emails, reading private communications about an upcoming story (later revealed to involve attempts to interview Vladimir Putin), and planning to leak them to force his program off the air. He presented this as a shocking violation of press freedom by the Biden administration, insisting the details “could have only come directly from my texts and emails,” and vowed to expose the scandal. The NSA swiftly denied the allegations, stating Carlson was never a target and they had no intent to cancel his show; subsequent reporting and an internal review clarified that his name had merely been mentioned (and unmasked) in intercepted communications between third parties—likely related to his Putin outreach—without any direct surveillance of him. This episode exemplifies how Carlson often amplifies unverified or exaggerated claims into high-stakes conspiratorial narratives for on-air impact, playing a provocative “truth-teller under siege” character that rallies his audience and generates outrage, even as the facts later reveal a far less sinister (and debunked) reality—mirroring Shapiro’s critique of emotional manipulation over factual discourse.

Accusations of Two-Faced Behavior: Nick Fuentes’ Critique

Far-right activist Nick Fuentes, who initially appeared aligned with Tucker Carlson during and after their high-profile October 2025 interview, quickly turned critical in the following weeks. On his livestream in late November 2025, Fuentes accused Carlson of being “two-faced,” claiming the former Fox host had been effusive and praising in private during their in-person sit-down at Carlson’s cabin but later distanced himself publicly amid backlash over platforming Fuentes’ extremist views. Fuentes contrasted this with his own straightforwardness, saying, “I’m from Chicago. We’re not two-faced here… Maybe you’re two-faced up in New England, in Fox News, in that world where you come from. We’re not two-faced out here.” The feud escalated further, with Fuentes later calling Carlson a “f*cking liar,” a “handler,” and “the fakest human being” he’s ever met, while revisiting conspiracy theories about Carlson’s family ties to intelligence agencies. This fallout underscores Carlson’s pattern of opportunistic alliances, where he courts controversial figures for views but retreats when heat intensifies, further fueling perceptions of insincerity.

The Irony of Past Condemnations: Carlson on Pat Buchanan’s Antisemitism

In a 1999 appearance on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, a young Tucker Carlson—then a writer for The Weekly Standard—strongly criticized paleoconservative figure Pat Buchanan for what he described as a pattern of antisemitic rhetoric. Carlson acknowledged that Buchanan raised legitimate issues (such as U.S. military sovereignty) and that it was “perfectly valid to question America’s relationship with Israel.” However, he argued that Buchanan’s repeated criticisms went beyond policy debate into problematic territory. Carlson specifically said: “I’m not throwing the term anti-Semite around, but you reach a point when you say, ‘Well, gee, you know, here’s a guy who has gone out of his way to defend [John] Demjanjuk and other accused Nazi war criminals, who’s constantly attacked Israel, who’s attacked American Jews for supporting Israel unduly, who’s implied that American Jews push America into wars in which non-Jews die.’ There really is, and again, I’m not hysterical on the subject, but I do believe that there is a pattern with Pat Buchanan of needling the Jews. Is that anti-Semitic? Yeah!” This clip has resurfaced frequently in recent years, especially amid criticisms of Carlson’s own evolving views on Israel and related topics, with commentators noting the irony that Carlson once condemned rhetoric he has since been accused of echoing—highlighting a shift that critics like Shapiro attribute to gaslighting for profit.

Did Tucker Carlson Help Biden Win by Suppressing the Hunter Biden Laptop Story?

In the weeks before the 2020 election, Carlson repeatedly teased explosive material from Hunter Biden’s laptop, claiming his team had obtained critical documents that would damage Joe Biden’s campaign. Then, in a bizarre on-air segment, he announced that the documents had mysteriously vanished in transit via UPS—only for them to later resurface. After that episode, Carlson largely backed away from aggressively pursuing the laptop angle, later citing reluctance to target Hunter Biden personally (a stance made more complicated by revelations that Carlson himself had once asked Hunter for a favor regarding his son’s college application). While Carlson’s coverage initially amplified the story in conservative circles, his retreat fueled speculation that he softened the narrative at a pivotal moment, potentially aiding Biden’s victory through inaction. Critics see this as part of a broader pattern of insincerity, where Carlson teases scandals for ratings but pulls back when it suits him, preying on audience emotions without delivering facts.

Does He Secretly Hate Trump Based on His Texts? Is He Trying to Fracture Trump’s Base?

Private text messages uncovered during the 2023 Dominion lawsuit against Fox News revealed a stark disconnect between Carlson’s on-air persona and his private feelings. In early 2021, he wrote that he hated Trump “passionately,” called him a “demonic force,” and expressed exhaustion with defending election fraud claims he privately dismissed. Carlson later described these messages as vented frustration taken out of context, and since leaving Fox, he has interviewed Trump extensively and aligned himself closely with the former president’s campaigns. Yet, Carlson’s recent criticisms of Israel have sparked divisions within the MAGA movement, especially amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran in 2025. He has accused Israel of undue influence on U.S. policy, questioned its value as an ally, and clashed with pro-Israel Republicans like Ted Cruz over U.S. involvement in potential conflicts. This has led to public rifts, with some viewing Carlson’s stance as isolationist “America First” rhetoric that appeals to parts of Trump’s base wary of foreign entanglements. Whether it’s intentional fracturing is debatable, but critics like Shapiro argue it’s a deliberate effort to undermine Trump by sowing discord in a base traditionally supportive of Israel, potentially weakening GOP unity and profiting from the resulting chaos.

What Is His Relationship with Qatar? Does He Ever Consider Qatar’s Role in Supporting Terror?

Carlson has developed a notably positive relationship with Qatar’s leadership. He has interviewed the country’s prime minister multiple times, praised Doha as a potential strategic partner, and even announced plans to purchase a home there, describing it as a place where he can speak freely. He has defended Qatar against accusations of supporting terrorism and suggested it could serve U.S. interests better than some traditional allies. Carlson insists he receives no payment from Qatar, framing his positive coverage as independent journalism. However, in his interviews with Qatari officials, Carlson has raised accusations of ties to Hamas, Iran, and other groups—but he typically allows the officials to rebut the claims without sustained follow-up pressure. Qatar maintains that its hosting of Hamas leaders and mediation efforts serve diplomatic purposes at the request of the U.S. itself. Carlson rarely dwells on these allegations in depth, instead highlighting Qatar’s energy resources, wealth, and potential role in de-escalating regional conflicts. This leniency contrasts sharply with his harsh scrutiny of Israel, a proven U.S. ally with shared intelligence and military cooperation, while Qatar faces ongoing criticism for its financial and political support of terrorist entities—raising questions about Carlson’s motives in promoting a nation with such ties.

Does He Consider Israel a Legitimate State? Why Does He Downplay Israel’s Support for the U.S. and Call for Deporting Americans Who Serve in the IDF?

Carlson has never explicitly questioned Israel’s right to exist, but his rhetoric frequently portrays it as a problematic ally that extracts far more from the U.S. than it provides in return. He has amplified controversial claims and criticized what he sees as excessive Israeli influence on American politics. Defenders say he’s focused purely on U.S. national interests; critics argue his selective framing veers into dangerous territory, ignoring Israel’s longstanding support through intelligence sharing, joint military technology, and counterterrorism efforts. In 2025 remarks, he argued that Americans who serve in foreign militaries—including the IDF—should immediately lose their citizenship, calling it incompatible with loyalty to the United States. This position applies broadly (he mentioned Ukraine as well), but it drew particular backlash for ignoring historical precedents of Americans volunteering abroad and for overlooking the contributions of dual citizens who serve in allied forces. Fact check: Yes, he made this statement, applying it to any foreign military service, though it minimizes Israel’s role as a genuine ally compared to Qatar’s controversial affiliations.

Final Thoughts: Profiting from Division While Targeting Trump

Tucker Carlson’s career trajectory—from mainstream commentator to independent provocateur—reveals a figure adept at gaslighting audiences with emotional appeals, as Shapiro highlighted at AmericaFest, while downplaying facts that don’t serve his narrative. By aligning with Qatar over Israel, he not only contrasts with genuine allies but also risks empowering terrorist sympathizers for personal gain. His apparent efforts to fracture Trump’s base through isolationist rhetoric and private disdain suggest a deeper agenda: profiting off gullible viewers while weakening the very leader he publicly courts. In a time when conservatism needs unity, Carlson’s insincerity, as exposed in clashes like this, poses a real threat.

Sources & Further Reading

1. Carlson statement about Shapiro https://x.com/maxnordau/status/2001890527630049630?s=46
2. Shapiro-Carlson spar at AmericaFest (2025) – https://jewishinsider.com/2025/12/shapiro-carlson-spar-at-americafest/
3. Shapiro calls Carlson a coward – https://www.mediaite.com/media/ben-shapiro-pummels-coward-tucker-carlson-for-peddling-anti-american-conspiracy-theories/
4. Conservatives clash at Turning Point conference – https://apnews.com/article/turning-point-charlie-kirk-americafest-c1ef8d3535191e58ce2aa731d242bebf
5. Shapiro denounces Carlson as fraud – https://www.aol.com/articles/ben-shapiro-denounces-tucker-carlson-002910864.html
6. NSA spying incident details – https://www.axios.com/2021/07/07/tucker-carlson-putin-interview-surveillance
7. Nick Fuentes feud with Carlson – https://barrettmedia.com/2025/11/26/nick-fuentes-i-dont-like-how-two-faced-tucker-carlson-was-after-controversial-interview/
8. Carlson on Pat Buchanan (1999) – https://www.c-span.org/clip/washington-journal/user-clip-then-and-now-tucker-carlson-needling-the-jews/5165630
9. Hunter Biden laptop coverage – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8895673/Tucker-Carlson-reveals-lost-Hunter-Biden-docs-FLOOR-UPS-store.html
10. Dominion texts on Trump – https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/03/07/fox-news-dominion-tucker-carlson-texts/
11. Qatar interviews and ties – https://responsiblestatecraft.org/tucker-carlson-qatar/
12. IDF citizenship remarks – https://forward.com/fast-forward/754885/tucker-carlson-israel-epstein/
13. Qatar’s terror links – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PhhXWgPCon