Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is facing criticism from within the Republican party following his remarks about Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Carlson, speaking on "The Tucker Carlson Show" with conservative journalist Saagar Enjeti, expressed strong disapproval of El-Sayed's Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, and offered a nuanced perspective on El-Sayed.
Carlson stated he "wouldn’t vote for Mike Rogers at gunpoint," describing him as a "tool of Israel and the intel agencies." He questioned Rogers's suitability for office, stating, "How would you run someone like that? It doesn’t even make sense."
During the conversation, Enjeti characterized El-Sayed, a public health expert, as a "full-blown leftist" who has adopted an "America First" stance. Enjeti cited El-Sayed's statements, such as "Israel is committing a genocide, but ultimately, I want to make sure that you don’t pay more for healthcare. I don’t want your tax dollars going abroad to fund this barbaric military," and his campaign appearances in front of an American flag, as "almost Trumpian."
Carlson agreed with Enjeti's assessment, calling El-Sayed's tactics "literally Trumpian." Both commentators suggested that El-Sayed, who is seeking to become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, might win in November. Carlson reiterated his negative view of Rogers, saying, "There’s no one who should be farther from a position of power than Mike Rogers."
Clips of Carlson and Enjeti's remarks have circulated widely on social media, prompting dismay from some prominent MAGA Republicans. Influencer Laura Loomer criticized Carlson, accusing him of endorsing El-Sayed and labeling him an "apologist for Islam." David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel under President Trump, echoed this sentiment, stating Carlson was "fully anti-Trump, anti-Republican and anti-American" for praising El-Sayed, whom Friedman accused of prematurely blaming Israel for genocide.
During a White House press briefing, Vice President JD Vance addressed Carlson's comments when questioned about his recent criticisms of the Trump administration. Vance, while acknowledging a friendship with Carlson, stated, "I think El-Sayed’s a crazy person, and I think whatever your views on Mike Rogers’ specific policy prescriptions, I’d like to have a non-crazy person like Mike Rogers representing Michigan in the U.S. Senate rather than a crazy person like El-Sayed."
Carlson, who was a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and the Make America Great Again movement, has reportedly broken with the former president over issues including ties to Israel and the Iran war. In June, Carlson indicated he would not continue to support the Republican Party.