Tucker Carlson has launched a new venture in the tobacco industry, just weeks after he sparked outrage by hosting a guest on his podcast who defended Hitler.
The right-wing commentator, who used to be an enthusiastic promoter of Zyn nicotine pouches, has now turned against the brand, citing parent company Philip Morris International and its employees’ donations to Kamala Harris as the reason.
Carlson is launching a competing product called Alp in November. It says Zyn is aimed at “women and liberals” after an OpenSecrets report found that Philip Morris employees donated more to Harris than to Donald Trump this year.
The pundit helped Zyn gain popularity in conservative circles by praising the nicotine pouches during his performances, including in an October interview in which he claimed, “Zyn is a powerful performance enhancer, and also a male enhancement tool… if you know what I mean.”
After that interview, Carlson’s team reached out to Phillip Morris for a partnership, but the company declined the offer, citing the expert’s comments.
Tucker Carlson was an enthusiastic promoter of Zyn nicotine pouches. He was seen with them at the Republican National Convention in July
Phillip Morris responded: ‘While we understand that these may be Mr. Carlson’s views, or that they are a joke, these statements lack any scientific basis.
“Given Mr. Carlson’s popularity and reach, these statements could promote misunderstandings and misuse of our products.”
Carlson is launching a competing product called Alp in November, claiming Zyn is for ‘women and liberals’
Carlson told the Wall Street Journal that he was furious with the company’s response because he was “just joking.”
“So I thought, I’m going to launch my own product that’s not driven by, you know, humorless, left-wing drones,” he said.
“They have nothing in common with their consumers… I just thought, OK, there has to be a product that reflects the style, the aesthetic, the culture and the beliefs of the people who are using it.”
Carlson added: “I realized it was like being called names and teased, just like my mentor in fourth grade… It’s not a brand for men, sorry.”
The expert also slammed Zyn in an interview with clothing brand Old Row, saying, “I think it’s fine… for your girlfriend or something, but I don’t think men should use that brand.”
Phillip Morris told the WSJ in a statement: “It is frustrating that Mr. Carlson would seek to make Zyn a political pawn in order to promote his own business venture.”
The spokesperson added that Zyn users include both Republicans and Democrats.
Carlson’s new business venture comes after the White House criticized him for his interview with a historian who claimed Adolf Hitler was not the greatest villain of World War II
The right-wing commentator is an avid user of nicotine pouches
Carlson’s new business venture comes after the White House heavily criticized him for his interview with a historian who claimed Adolf Hitler was not the main villain of World War II.
Daryl Cooper, a podcast host and self-professed historian, stirred up controversy when he said that not only did the Nazis not plan to kill millions of people, but that Winston Churchill was the biggest villain of the war.
The show sparked outrage online, particularly after X CEO Elon Musk quoted the video and tweeted, “Very interesting. Worth watching.” Musk has since deleted the post.