Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what he described as a “ghoulish” and self-serving reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, the former Fox News host condemned the exploitation of Kirk’s death for political gain — particularly by foreign leaders.
Carlson, who was close to Kirk, said he was “shocked and sickened” by Netanyahu’s public statement following the young conservative activist’s assassination. According to Carlson, the prime minister attempted to reframe Kirk’s death in support of Israel’s ongoing military operations — a move Carlson called “disgusting.”
“Basically [Netanyahu] made it all about him and all about his country,” Carlson said. “Immediately trying to take the energy, the sadness, the grief that people felt over Charlie’s murder and redirect it towards support for whatever project he’s involved in.”
Carlson emphasized that Kirk had long expressed deep reservations about Netanyahu and his policies, especially the conduct of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“He loved the state of Israel. He loved going there,” Carlson said. “But he did not like Bibi Netanyahu. He felt that Netanyahu was a very destructive force. He was appalled by what was happening in Gaza.”
According to Carlson, Kirk was particularly frustrated by what he saw as Netanyahu’s willingness to use American political and financial support to further Israel’s military objectives — at the expense of U.S. interests.
“He believed Netanyahu was using the United States to prosecute his wars… and that it was shameful, embarrassing, and bad for the United States,” Carlson said. “He resented it.”
Carlson acknowledged that some Netanyahu allies and defenders would likely attack him for speaking out, but he insisted that Kirk’s views on the matter were well known and could be corroborated.
“There are enough text messages that I think it can probably be verified in pretty short order — not that it needs to be, because that is true.”
Carlson also revealed that Kirk had come under heavy pressure from donors and political insiders for inviting Carlson to speak at a recent Turning Point USA conference. According to Carlson, Kirk lost a $2 million donation just two days before his death due to that decision.
“Donors tormented Charlie Kirk until the day he died,” Carlson said. “I hated seeing how much he was suffering, the hassle he was getting from people.”
He described the pushback as intense and driven in large part by individuals aligned with Netanyahu, who viewed Carlson’s criticisms of Israeli policy as a threat to their influence.
Carlson’s remarks sparked immediate discussion across the conservative political landscape. Former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz came to Carlson’s defense, writing, “I have personal knowledge as to many of the claims Tucker is making here. They are 100 percent true.”
For Carlson, the issue is not merely political — it’s personal. His remarks were rooted in what he described as a genuine concern for preserving the truth about who Charlie Kirk was and what he believed.
“There are many liars out there — Bibi Netanyahu number one among them, shamefully — who are trying to distort the truth,” Carlson concluded. “A truth that I know and can prove.”
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
