Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Monday night repeatedly conveyed that he is rooting for Russia against Ukraine and that he does not care that people are dying in the conflict—but later walked part of it back by claiming he was joking.

During Tucker Carlson Tonight, Carlson said former Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter took millions of dollars from a Ukrainian energy company and accused him of corruption, while opining that President Donald Trump was unfairly facing an impeachment inquiry for asking Ukraine's president to investigate a legitimate concern of wrongdoing by the Bidens.

"Now, I know Hunter Biden, I actually like Hunter Biden, but that's totally corrupt and you know it. Why is it worse to ask about it than it is to do it?" Carlson said, referring to Trump and Hunter Biden respectively.

"Because people are dying on the front lines," said former adviser to the Clintons, Richard Goldstein. "You think it's a joke."

Carlson continued: "Why do I care? Why do I care what's going on in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia? And I'm serious."

Goldstein said he would tell Carlson why, but the Fox News host reiterated his stance.

"And I'm serious. Like, why do I care? And why shouldn't I root for Russia? Which I am," Carlson said.

Goldstein replied that people watching and he himself believe that "preserving democracy is important." He offered the example of former Vice President Dick Cheney saying Russia launched war-like attacks on the United States.

"I don't care," Carlson said yet again.

Goldstein then expressed concern that if Trump ends up getting away with withholding U.S. military aid to Ukraine amid Russian aggression while requesting Ukraine's president probe the Bidens, Trump could do the same to other countries.

Carlson defended Trump in that regard as well.

"We should put a strong arm on the Chinese who are colonizing the world and are beating us economically and soon militarily if we don't watch out," Carlson said, before reinforcing his support for Russia.

"Why should I vote for Ukraine against Russia? I'm totally, I'm sincerely confused," Carlson said. The host concluded, "Why should I care at all?"

At the end of his show, Carlson tried to walk back on his multiple remarks he was on Russia's side

"Before I go—earlier in the show, I noted that I was rooting for Russian in the contest between Russia and Ukraine," Carlson said. "Of course I'm joking. I'm only rooting for America."

Trump, who frequently watches and agrees with Fox News, was heavily criticized in July 2018 for siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a joint press conference over the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 election.

The president did not tweet about Carlson's comments late Monday, but did cite the Fox News showIngraham Angle in tweeting, "'Democrats committed to impeaching Trump for no reason.' Will backfire into big 2020 Victory for Republicans! @IngrahamAngle."

That tweet was similar to a chyron during Carlson's segment with Goldstein that stated, "Impeachment charade backfires on Democrats."

Newsweek, November 26, 2019

###

November 26, 2019

Voices4America Post Script. #FriendOfTrump #FriendOfPutin

Did I get that right?

Yes, he has the right to speak but we have the right to despise and not watch.