Trump demagogue Carlson is in Russia – apparently he wants to interview Putin. Researchers count more shark attacks than last year – 10 ended fatally in 2023

He wants to end the war and apparently save the world from a third world war. According to media reports, the former star of conservative American broadcaster Fox News, Tucker Carlson, is currently in Russia.

He is said to have arrived in Moscow on February 1. A photo of him at the Bolshoi Theater went viral on social media. His trip to Russia probably surprises few people. The American moderator repeatedly attracted attention with pro-Russian statements. After his expulsion from Fox News, he moved to Platform X, formerly Twitter. He is followed there by more than eleven million followers.

For example, he interviewed his friend and former president Donald Trump. It also provides a platform to pro-Russian politicians, such as Hungarian President Viktor Orbán and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

Carlson repeatedly spreads lies about the war in Ukraine. For his sharp statements he uses false figures from pro-Russian propaganda websites. Now he is a guest in the Kremlin and the rumor mill is abuzz about whether he will interview Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He has now commented on this himself.

Carlson wants to tour Russia – and maybe meet Putin?

A reporter from the Russian newspaper Izvestia asks Carlson what brings him to Russia. He has read a lot about the country and “wanted to talk to the people, look around and see how things are going there and it is going very well,” the American answers. When asked if he can interview Putin, he says: “We shall see.”

When the man behind the camera points out that news of his visit to Russia is “exploding” in the United States, Carlson says, “You’re crazy, very crazy.”

Carlson’s visit sparks a debate in the US

The visit was criticized in the liberal US media, and Tucker’s stay in Russia also angered some social media users. However, there is applause from the MAGA corner, namely Trump’s supporters. MAGA stands for Trump’s motto ‘Make America Great Again’, which has developed a true cult following.

Carlson’s supporters argue that we need to talk to Putin and explain his side of the matter. However, it remains doubtful whether Carlson will classify and fact-check Putin’s statements. Accordingly, he would likely provide the Kremlin boss with an open platform for Russian propaganda.

He spread numerous lies about the war in Ukraine, including blaming Ukraine for blowing up the Kakhovka Dam, writes Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Putin’s interview with Tucker would come at an opportune time

Nevertheless, a Putin interview with Tucker would be an extraordinary step. It is not often that Putin confronts foreign journalists. “The last time this happened was in 2021, when Putin spoke to NBC’s Keir Simmons,” Gerashchenko wrote.

In any case, the appearance with Carlson would attract a lot of attention – and that comes at just the right time, just before the elections in Russia in March. “Putin is running the propaganda machine at full speed before the ‘elections’,” says Gerashchenko.

Carlson himself remains silent about his visit to Russia. So far, he hasn’t posted anything about it on his social media channels.

According to security expert Edward Hunter Christie of the Finnish Institute for International Affairs (FIIA), the Putin interview is ultimately not the most important point. The real problem is what can’t be seen on camera, he writes on X. He thinks of the numerous confidential conversations between Carlson and senior Russian officials.

He wonders what agreements or considerations will be discussed – and whether Carlson could act as a carrier pigeon between Trump and Putin.