Fact Check: Was Tucker Carlson detained in Israel airport?

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former Fox News host and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson recently sparked a flurry of attention online by claiming that he and the members of his team were detained in Israel, prompting speculations about the claim. The claim has spread widely, raising questions about its accuracy. Let us fact-check it.

Claim: Tucker Carlson was detained in Israel

During his visit to Israel to interview Mike Huckabee, who currently serves as the US ambassador, Carlson claimed that Israeli authorities detained him and his staff at Ben Gurion Airport.

Carlson told the New York Post that airport security approached him and his team after the interview. 

“Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room, and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about,” Carlson said.

“It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country,” he added.

Carlson's allegation that he was stopped at the airport immediately sparked controversy on social media.

Some users even called for the United States to reevaluate its aid to Israel, while others defended him and asked why an American journalist would be treated in such a way. Others conjectured about potential diplomatic conflicts.

Critics contested his story, claiming that he was embellishing or misrepresenting the events. While some argued that he was not in fact in custody, others said the incident was part of a larger trend of dramatic narrative.

Fact Check: Israeli officials deny Tucker Carlson's story

Citing unnamed sources, the Daily Mail reported that Israeli officials were initially hesitant to grant Carlson entry, and discussions with the US State Department took place. However, they ultimately allowed him in to avoid a 'diplomatic incident.'

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Israel denied Carlson’s version of events, saying, “Carlson received the same passport control questions that countless visitors to Israel, including Ambassador Huckabee and diplomats, receive.”

He added, “It is not accurate that Israel was only going to let Tucker into the country for the interview. It was Tucker who chose to only come in for a few hours and leave. And he received the same treatment as any visitor.”

Despite the denials from officials, we couldn't independently verify the authenticity of Carlson’s claims.

Tucker Carlson named 'antisemite' of the year

Carlson has been critical of Israel since leaving Fox News in 2023. In 2024, he launched The Tucker Carlson Show, where he has interviewed several controversial figures.

Because of the people he hosted and the things he said about Israel, StopAntisemitism named him 'Antisemite of the Year' in December 2025.