Fox News host Tucker Carlson referred to Iraqis as “semi-literate primitive monkeys” during the 2006 US invasion of the country, newly uncovered tapes have revealed.
In the audio recording Carlson can be heard saying Iraq was a “crappy place” that “wasn’t worth invading”, adding he had “zero sympathy” for the Iraqi people.
In response to a colleague’s comment that “Iraqis want nothing more than the Americans off of their soils so they’re not gonna play games”, Carlson says: “I mean they can just shut the fuck up and obey is my view.”
He then went on to claim that white men “created civilisation” and deserved credit for it.
After the backlash, Carlson said he was a victim, saying: “We will never bow to the mob. Ever. No matter what.”
Fox News has declined to comment on this controversy, which comes only days after another of its hosts was embroiled caused a media storm by attacking Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for wearing a hijab. Jeanine Pirro suggested Omar’s faith was incompatible with the US Constitution.