Fox News host Tucker Carlson has asserted that anyone who opposes the policies of President Joe Biden is automatically branded a "racist."
Carlson made the remark during a Wednesday night episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight, while complaining that Biden's agenda had caused an unusually high U.S. inflation rate and warning that the buildup could soon mirror far more severe hyperinflation that has taken place in Venezuela.
Carlson suggested that those who dare to criticize the president would be unfairly deemed racists after taking aim at new White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who is Black, in part for failing to answer Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy's question about whether Biden believes that raising taxes on corporations would reduce inflation.
"Are you still not convinced that Joe Biden knows how to handle inflation?" Carlson asked. "Did that rattle your confidence rather than bolster it? Then, honestly there's nothing we can do for you at this point, you're beyond reach. In fact, you know what you are? You're a racist."
"That's what we call people who continue to ask complicated, long questions about Joe Biden's economic programs," he continued. "They're racist, and getting rid of them is America's greatest problem."
When speaking about the new White House press secretary, Carlson played a clip of Jean-Pierre mentioning during a press conference that she was the first Black lesbian White House press secretary before launching into a sarcastic screed that suggested her distinction should not have been mentioned due to the inflation rate.
A picture of Jean-Pierre alongside the all-caps words "Me, Me Me. !t's All About Me"[sic] and "Thank God We Have a Black Lesbian Press Secy" appeared onscreen as Carlson spoke.
"It's a new day, America," Carlson said. "How do you feel? You still can't afford to have your refrigerator fixed or go to the dentist. On the other hand, Karine Jean-Pierre has good news for you about herself."
"Congratulations, Karine Jean-Pierre, your promotion is America's promotion," he added. "You're gonna want to hold onto that sensation that you're now experiencing and treasure it in the days ahead like a hand warmer, as America becomes poorer than you ever imagined."
Carlson then lamented several issues that he suggested were caused by Biden's policies, including the current national shortage of baby formula, high gas prices, increasing fertilizer prices and energy shortages. He also derisively played MSNBC clips of discussions about Biden denouncing white supremacy following the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, last week.
Although the economic issues appeared to be wholly unrelated to Jean-Pierre noting that she was the first Black lesbian to serve as White House press secretary, Carlson attempted to draw a connection by claiming that bringing attention to the issue had "tamed" the press into ignoring inflation shortly before playing a clip of her interaction with Doocy.
"You didn't think growing up in this country there would come a time when they couldn't keep the lights on," Carlson said. "Now that time is here. That's shocking."
"But if you're upset about it we'd like you to pause and turn your attention to the fact—and we're gonna say this slowly so it can sink in—our new White House press secretary is a Black lesbian," he continued. "Oh, hooray."
Carlson opened his show by asserting that Venezuela was "now rated one of the most miserable places on Earth" due to a history of runaway inflation. He said that the U.S. was "not in danger of becoming Venezuela next week" but was "moving closer to it," with inflation being "a big part of the reason."
Venezuela in 2021 changed its currency after skyrocketing hyperinflation caused the bolivar's worth to sink, reducing the South American country's highest printed denomination of 1 million bolivars to 100 bolivars.
Carlson ended the segment by inviting Jean-Pierre to have a "conversation" with him about how "very racist" she is, with ground rules that he said would consist of "you shut up, I talk."
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.
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Aila Slisco is a Newsweek night reporter based in New York. Her focus is on reporting national politics, where she ... Read more
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