The Biden administration has strongly condemned Tucker Carlson after his recent interview with Darryl Cooper, a podcaster who controversially suggested that the Holocaust was an unintended consequence rather than a deliberate act of genocide. The administration described the interview as “a disgusting and sadistic insult to all Americans,” highlighting its offensive nature to the memory of the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and the American soldiers who fought against Nazism.
In his interview, Cooper, whom Carlson called “the best and most honest popular historian in the United States,” made the unfounded claim that the Holocaust resulted from poor planning rather than a systematic extermination. Cooper also labeled British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the “chief villain” of World War II, an assertion that the White House refuted, stating unequivocally that Adolf Hitler was the “chief villain” of the war.
The White House’s statement, delivered by senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates, emphasized that promoting Holocaust denial and Nazi propaganda is unacceptable, particularly in light of recent global increases in antisemitism. Bates condemned the interview’s distortions and underscored the need for responsible discourse.
Carlson responded by criticizing the White House, alleging that the administration’s focus on the Churchill myth is leading the country closer to nuclear conflict. He dismissed the administration’s comments as being out of touch and provocative.
The interview has drawn widespread criticism from various quarters, including Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League, who condemned the interview as “truly revolting” and corrected the record on the Nazis’ planned extermination of Jews.
Since his departure from Fox News, Carlson has continued to spark controversy through his online content and public appearances, frequently featuring radical figures. Despite the backlash, he remains a prominent figure within the Republican Party, having recently been given a significant speaking role at the party’s convention in Milwaukee. He is also set to embark on a live speaking tour this fall, with JD Vance, Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee, scheduled to join him at a September 21 event in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Vance’s campaign has since clarified that while he does not support “guilt-by-association cancel culture,” he does not share the views expressed by Carlson’s interview guest.
