Fox News host Tucker Carlson has once again ignited controversy by claiming that the footage of Republican Senator Josh Hawley fleeing from rioters during the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was “propaganda” and “a lie.” Carlson aired the footage on his show on Monday, claiming that it was edited deceptively by the January 6 Committee to paint Hawley as a coward. However, the footage was first revealed to the public last July by the Committee, and shows several lawmakers, including Hawley, being ushered out of the building by Capitol Hill police officers.
Former President Donald Trump supported Carlson’s claims and demanded the prosecution of Committee members in a Truth Social post. Carlson has previously tried to downplay the events of January 6 and has been criticized for his promotion of conspiracies related to the insurrection.
The airing of the footage has been criticized by Democrats and liberal commentators, but praised by figures like election denialist Mike Lindell, former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and Newsmax host Eric Bolling. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy defended his decision to hand over the footage to Carlson, noting that the host had been requesting it.
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The controversy surrounding the insurrection and its aftermath continues to be a divisive issue in U.S. politics. Carlson’s claims about the footage only add to the ongoing debate over the events of January 6 and the response to it. Additional footage from the day is set to be broadcast on Carlson’s show on Tuesday.
