CNN’s Audie Cornish: Republicans Are ‘Painting’ Tucker Carlson as Antisemitic

"Painting?"

On Tuesday's CNN This Morning, host Audie Cornish opened a discussion of Tucker Carlson by saying: "For months, Republicans have been painting him as antisemitic."

Cornish failed to mention Carlson’s:

• Friendly interview with avowed Holocaust denier and Hitler fan Nick Fuentes.
• Praise for Holocaust revisionist Darryl Cooper asmaybe “the best and most honest popular historian in the United States.”
• Comments embracing the classic blood libel holding Jews responsible for the death of Jesus.
• Description of Jewish Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “sweaty, rat-like, and shifty.”

There's more antisemitic evidence on Tucker Carlson than paint in a Sherwin-Williams store—but Cornish presented the criticism as mere partisan brushwork.

Cornish made the claim during a Group Chat discussion that featured speculation about Carlson potentially running for president in 2028.

The segment turned to Carlson distancing himself from the Republican party over its support for Israel, with Carlson declaring he could not support a party “not loyal to the United States” -- yet another accusation with antisemitic overtones.

Panelists repeatedly tied the moment to presidential positioning for 2028, with strategists noting that both Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene appear to be “testing the grounds of running.” 

Democrat strategist Chuck Rocha claimed that in a primary with multiple candidates, Carlson could win with just 30% of the vote--and "Tucker Carlson knows that." 

Problem for Carlson: Given that he has announced his departure from the Republican party, it's hard to see how he could enter a GOP primary—unless he does so on the platform of "Make the GOP American Again."

Cornish’s delicate framing of Republicans "painting" Carlson as antisemitic was a Tom Sawyer-worthy whitewash. The facts paint a different story.

In contrast with Cornish's reticence, Ted Cruz, in a clip played during the segment, didn't hesitate to decry the rise of antisemitism on the right, calling Carlson "the single most dangerous demagogue in this country."

Note: Ashley Davis, a panel regular presented as a Republican, called Democrat Josh Shapiro "my very good friend." Last time Ashley said the same about a conservative?

Here's the transcript.

CNN This Morning
6/23/26
6:53 am EDT

AUDIE CORNISH: So we've been talking about this issue [Israel, antisemitism, etc.], whether this could affect the fate of these politicians in New York. 

And it appears Israel sealed the fate of Tucker Carlson as well. For months, Republicans have been painting him as antisemitic.

TED CRUZ: And I will say, on the right, I have seen more antisemitism in the last eighteen months on the right. It is being spread by loud voices. The most consequential of whom is Tucker Carlson. I believe Tucker Carlson is the single most dangerous demagogue in this country.

CORNISH: Carlson says he is done with the Republican party. He says it puts the interest of Israel above those of its own citizens.

TUCKER CARLSON: I would not support the Republican party, there's no chance I would support the Republican party. Not gonna support the Democratic party. I don't know what I'm gonna do. But at this point, you know, how could you support, how could I or any American voter support a political party that's not loyal to the United States?

TAMARA KEITH: I think that what is happening here with Tucker Carlson, with Ted Cruz, is various parts of what has been the Republican coalition figuring out what happens in a potential post-Trump reality, and positioning themselves.

And there are flashpoints. Israel is going to be a flashpoint, it didn't used to be. Republicans were all very pro-Israel, that's not the case anymore. And I think you're gonna see it over abortion and other issues as well.

CORNISH: Yeah, Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeting, "Tucker's not the only one who's done supporting the Republican party." This is her, I think, on X. "There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up and won't support a party that betrays its voters and country. That doesn't mean we're turning into Democrats either, but we are done with the America LAST Republican party."

CHUCK ROCHA: There's something going on here. It's not just this issue. If you think about this issue, you think about the war, you think about the Epstein files. You have all of these activists on the right who voted for Donald Trump because of those three things, and Tucker Carlson, maybe Marjorie Taylor Greene, are trying to tap into that.

The old political consultant here thinks it has a lot to do with 2028.

. . . 

ASHLEY DAVIS: I also think that Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker are trying to figure out a path in regards to 2028. I think they're both testing the grounds of running. 

But also one of the questions I have for you is, there are four or five potential Jewish candidates on the Democrat side that would run in 2028, one of 'em, my dear friend Josh Shapiro. How does that happen? 

I mean, they're like go-- trying, the Dems are trying to go left of the left of the left of Israel. 

ROCHA: This has relevance in Democratic and primaries for both parties in 2028. When you have multiple people running, more than four or five, you can win the nomination with thirty percent. Keep in mind, you just need that thirty percent, and Tucker Carlson knows that.

CORNISH: Okay. You think he's definitely, this is a he's running situation?

ROCHA: [Nods cowboy hat affirmatively.] 

CORNISH: Okay.