In the world of social media, it is not uncommon to come across a friend from high school who delves into conspiracies and asks “What exactly happened on 9/11?” or questions why the media isn’t unearthing the truth about J.F.K.’s assassination. However, when that same man, Tucker Carlson, is paid millions of dollars by Fox News to espouse these beliefs on one of the most popular shows on cable TV, it becomes a newsworthy topic. His new show, “Tucker on Twitter,” which debuted on Tuesday, features Carlson’s familiar brand of resentment, insinuation and dog-whistling, all with visuals of him delivering his monologues from his home office with wood paneling, wall hangings, and a bit of woodsy green through the window.
Although Fox News abruptly let him go in April due to racist text messages, misogynistic slurs, and statements against Fox executives, Carlson has seemingly not mellowed out during his time off. “Tucker on Twitter” looks nothing like the polished newscasts of Fox News and more like something you would see livestreamed after the apocalypse. It’s a question whether Carlson can reclaim his peak influence without the resources of Fox News or whether he can thrive on the anything-goes platform of Elon Musk’s Twitter.
Regardless of the production quality, Carlson’s message remains the same; the elites are controlling your information and telling you what you’re allowed to say. It is not necessary for him to prove the veracity of his claims but simply to tell his viewers that the elites do not want them to believe it. This premise is tailor-made for social media, and it aligns with Musk’s interests. Although Carlson has touted himself as an outsider on the inside of conservative politics, it remains to be seen whether he can retain his political-cultural power as an outsider on the outside. But for now, Carlson is out there, and so is the truth, whether they are necessarily in the same place or not.
