White House tells Americans not to believe ‘ANYTHING’ Putin says in Tucker Carlson interview and says Americans wholeheartedly support Ukraine aid
The White House has told Americans not to “believe anything Vladimir Putin says” during his highly anticipated interview with Tucker Carlson.
Carlson, 54, announced he would interview the Russian leader earlier this week, and the interview will go live on X tonight at 6 p.m.
The former Fox News firebrand, who has been an outspoken opponent of US military aid to Ukraine, made the announcement after he was spotted leaving the Kremlin.
During the daily White House briefing on Thursday, communications coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Americans should not believe anything Putin says.
Kirby said: “Anyone watching that interview should be aware that you are listening to Vladimir Putin. You shouldn’t just accept everything he has to say.’
Carlson, 54, announced he would interview the Russian leader following speculation after he was spotted leaving the Kremlin earlier this week
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual press conference in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, December 14, 2023
Kirby also added, “The American people know full well who is to blame here, and I think they know there was no basis for the invasion two years ago.
‘He invaded a neighboring country without provocation, Ukraine posed no threat to anyone.
“The American people understand that, the American people understand what Ukraine is fighting for.
“All they’re asking for is our help, they’re not asking for boots on the ground. I don’t think the American people will be swayed by one interview.”
He also said, “We are confident that there is strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for support for Ukraine.
“The president believes that support for Ukraine is critical, especially as Russia continues to try to hit their industrial base.
‘He is confident that the leadership firmly supports Ukraine. How they will be affected by a television interview I cannot guess.’
Carlson said the interview would be broadcast “unedited” on his website and on X, making him the first American to interview Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Carlson, 54, announced he would interview the Russian leader earlier this week, and the interview will go live on X tonight at 6 p.m.
At the White House daily briefing on Thursday, communications coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Americans should not believe anything Putin says.
The conservative commentator said in a video: “Two years after a war that is reshaping the entire world, most Americans are unaware.
‘They have no real idea what’s happening in this region. But they need to know that they are paying for much of it in ways they may not fully understand.
“Americans have a right to know everything they can about any war in which they are involved.”
He then called the world’s English-language media corrupt, claiming that they “lie to their readers and viewers” and that “it is his duty to inform the public.”
Carlson repeated the unconfirmed claim that the Biden administration illegally spied on him three years ago to prevent him from interviewing Putin. He then claimed that the federal government was “doing the same thing again.”
“But this time we came to Moscow,” he said, adding that he paid for the trip himself, “and did not accept any money from any government or group.”
“We are not here because we love Vladimir Putin. We are here because we love the United States and want it to remain prosperous and free,” Carlson asserted.
The commentator also stated that Elon Musk had “promised not to suppress or block this interview.”
Tucker Carlson pictured here in a Moscow parking lot expressing his admiration for the Russian capital
In a later video, apparently from the same parking lot, Carlson says the Putin interview has not yet taken place
Carlson’s access to Putin stands in stark contrast to restrictions on other journalists in Russia, where two American citizens – Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe’s Alsu Kurmasheva – are currently imprisoned.
His show on Fox News was also frequently criticized during its broadcast for repeating Kremlin talking points.
The show is said to be extremely popular among senior figures in the Russian government, especially after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian state media fueled the rumors Monday by posting a video they claimed showed Carlson quitting the Russian presidential administration.
Carlson would be the first American to interview Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022
The former Fox star also kept his cards close to his chest on Monday, after Russian media showed photos of him in various places in Moscow.
“It’s beautiful,” Carlson said of Moscow in an interview broadcast by the Izvestia newspaper.
“I just wanted to see it because, you know, I’ve read so much about it, but I’ve never seen it before.”
When asked if he was in Moscow to interview Putin, Carlson said, “We’ll see,” and smiled.
The former MSNBC host, 54, reportedly arrived in the capital on February 1 and was spotted attending a Spartacus performance at the Bolshoi Theater.