How low can Tucker Carlson go? On his show Tuesday night, he took aim at women serving their country. Carlson was reacting to President Joe Biden’s speech after the president elevated two female generals to five-star rank earlier this week. At the event, Biden remarked about how “The women who join today’s military aren’t told ‘no’ when they apply to fly fighter jets or attack helicopters just because of their gender.” Instead, he said the Pentagon is working to make sure “all women feel safe and respected in our military.” The president pointed out “some of it is relatively straightforward work where we’re making good progress designing body armor that fits women properly; tailoring combat uniforms for women; creating maternity flight suits; updating — updating requirements for their hairstyles.” That was apparently too triggering for Carlson. He can’t seem to grasp that women, even pregnant ones can work in the military. The Fox News host remarked that
“So we’ve got new hairstyles and maternity flight suits. Pregnant women are going to fight our wars. It’s a mockery of the U.S. military. While China’s military becomes more masculine … our military needs to become, as Joe Biden says, more feminine… whatever feminine means anymore since men and women no longer exist.”
The remarks were so out of line that Carlson is facing widespread criticism. Among those condemning Carlson is Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott Stalker, he’s currently at the helm of the U.S. Space Command. In a video post he remarked:
“Let’s remember that those opinions were made by an individual who has never served a day in his life. Let’s remember that’s all about ‘drama TV’.”
https://twitter.com/US_SpaceComCSEL/status/1370041512894025729
Stalker wasn’t the only military official pointing out Carlson’s comments were completely off base. Defense spokesperson John Kirby said:
“What we absolutely won’t do is take personnel advice from a talk show host, or the Chinese military. Now maybe those folks feel like they have something to prove ― that’s on them. We know we’re the greatest military in the world today, and even for all the things we need to improve, we know exactly why that’s so.”
Women lead our most lethal units with character. They will dominate ANY future battlefield we’re called to fight on. @TuckerCarlson’s words are divisive, don’t reflect our values. We have THE MOST professional, educated, agile, and strongest NCO Corps in the world. https://t.co/WeqWk6IWDq
— Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army (@USArmySMA) March 11, 2021
Some official military social media accounts are also making their position clear.
I am an American Soldier.
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) March 11, 2021
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.#SoldiersCreed pic.twitter.com/6Dj6ZPGWEk
This is me, yesterday, conducting a re-enlistment for one of the tens of thousands of women who serve in our Army. Just a reminder that @TuckerCarlson couldnt be more wrong. https://t.co/M1MHe5zHrf
— Patrick Donahoe (@PatDonahoeArmy) March 11, 2021
One of the best responses came from Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) who is a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel.
F*ck Tucker Carlson. While he was practicing his two-step, America’s female warriors were hunting down Al Qaeda and proving the strength of America’s women.
— Tammy Duckworth (@TammyDuckworth) March 11, 2021
Happy belated International Women’s Day to everyone but Tucker, who even I can dance better than. pic.twitter.com/E4wchht9lA
So far Fox News and Tucker Carlson reportedly have no comment on the controversy.