Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is facing a wave of backlash after casting doubt on whether Hamas is anything more than a “political organization.”
Carlson made the remarks during a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, his independent podcast, in which he also criticized Israel for striking Gaza’s only Catholic church, an attack that killed three people. Israel has said the incident is under investigation.
Discussing the church strike, Carlson argued that the IDF were engaging in “self-destructive behavior” by shelling religious sites. He then pivoted to a broader claim questioning Hamas’s nature.
“They’re Islamist extremists, which they also claim. Constantly. I don’t know if that’s true, by the way. Seems more like a political organization,” Carlson said, before adding, “But whatever it is, they’re telling us constantly that they’re Al-Qaeda.”
The comments sparked immediate outrage across the political spectrum, given Hamas’s long-documented record of terrorism, suicide bombings, and its own charter calling for jihad and the destruction of Israel.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) blasted Carlson in a sharp post on X: “Now, @TuckerCarlson doesn’t know if Hamas is a terrorist organization. (‘Elmo is just asking questions….’) What the hell happened to Tucker?? He’s turning into Ilhan Omar.”
Now, @TuckerCarlson doesn’t know if Hamas is a terrorist organization. (“Elmo is just asking questions….”)
What the hell happened to Tucker?? He’s turning into Ilhan Omar. https://t.co/rGCuZ3rGAa
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 6, 2025
Right-wing commentator Mark Levin, a longtime Carlson critic, derisively dubbed him “Qatarlson” — a jab at accusations that Carlson’s commentary aligns with anti-Israel narratives. “Qatarlson doesn’t know if Hamas is a terrorist group,” Levin wrote.
Seth Dillon, CEO of the satirical Babylon Bee, also weighed in with a serious rebuke, noting Hamas’s founding ideology includes “jihad as its path” and “‘Death for the sake of Allah’ as its highest aspiration.”
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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14 Responses
The clip is missing the entire context; what exactly was the discussion? The guy is not an idiot; he could not seriously deny that Hamas is a terrorist organization. It sounds like his question is how it’s possible that Christians could be members of that organization, unlike in terrorist groups that identify as Muslim.
Its incredibly irresponsible for for a YWN, a “reputable” news organization, to use AI generated images in it’s articles. This picture literally has a “grok” ai watermark.
The clip is missing the entire context; what exactly was the discussion? etc.
Mr. Hakatan. Your rabid hatred of other Jews would be less horrible if you didn’t also bend over backwards to be dan l’kaf zchus vicious anti semites.
שיר השירים רבה (א, ו) איתמר: בשעה שאמר אליהו לשון הרע על ישראל, אמר ליה הקב”ה: “אליהו! עד שאתה מקטרג על בניי, קטרג על אומות העולם.” ותני עלה: אין הקדוש ברוך הוא חפץ במקטרג על ישראל.
כתב הגר”א (תיקוני הזהר תיקון כא): “שהשם יתברך שונא המקטרג על בניו אף קדושים
YWN is israeli (not jewish) propaganda
Change my mind
@mindoverheart,
So that’s what bothers you about this story?
I envy you.
The moment of truth is approaching when we will find out if the MAGA Republicans are willing to ditch people like Tucker and/or the Democrats are willing to ditch people like Mamdani. If neither group is willing to repudiate the anti-Semites, and a moderate third party does not emerge from the ruins of the major parties (i.e. the DINOs and RINOs uniting for oppose MAGA and Progressives), then probably “our goose is cooked”.
RE: use of AI The best precedent are editorial cartoons, which were clearly labelled as such, rather than as being based on something seen in the real world (a big deal before it was possible to print photographs in newspapers). When YWN wants to do an AI of something, it should be clearly labelled; if not, it is quite reasonable they will be sued for having knowingly made a false statement that Tucker Carson is a terrorist who has murdered and raped Jews – to avoid litigation the picture should be clearly labelled as AI generated.
the man is a complete nut job. i’ve been saying this for several years already. please stop giving him a platform.
I must agree with mindoverheart. Though I am no fan of Tucker. It discredits YWN to fake an inflammatory image in the name of objective reporting. YWN is no better than the fake media when it does this. Shame on YWN! Do better!
Omg. HamaSS WOULD slit his throat tooo. They hate the west.
Old tuck is deranged
Unhinged
Rabid hater if Jews. And you know what it says in Genesis 12 obviously he hates Israel he will be cursed for eternity. Good. Go to Gehenom tuck
Yes, Tucker is a bad person – with bad midos unquestionably.
@HaKatan, he clearly said “therefore how could hamas be considered islamic jihadists”
Does Tucker Carlson know where his mouth is? He ought to be checked for dementia.
smerel:
Your rabid hatred of other Jews on this site would be less horrible if you would make the slightest effort to be dan liKaf zechus other Jews on this platform.
TPANEACH:
Yes, as in “Islamic” being the question?