'He's panic stricken': Tucker Carlson slammed for saying Jon Stewart is 'tool of regime in sinister way'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson labeled comedian Jon Stewart as "a tool of the regime in the most sinister way" following Stewart's pointed criticism of Carlson's recent interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During an interview this week, Carlson stated, "That’s essentially what I was expressing: Even the Russians under Vladimir Putin can lead lives like this. And no, it’s not a characteristic of a dictatorship."

Jon Stewart criticizes Tucker Carlson's Moscow trip, Carlson responds

"That's the most disheartening and dishonest line, I believe, pushed by individuals like Jon Stewart who are truly attempting to condition the population to accept lower standards. He has always served as a tool of the regime in a nefarious manner."

During his late-night show on Comedy Central last week, Stewart unleashed a scathing critique of Carlson for his recent journey to Moscow, where he lauded the Russian economy and infrastructure just days before opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in prison.

“You're not as foolish as your appearance might suggest," Stewart remarked of Carlson, whom he has frequently targeted in the past.

"Maybe, if your handlers had permitted it, you might have realized that there's a hidden cost to all your inexpensive groceries and well-organized streets.”

Carlson has maintained that he is "not pro-Putin," despite frequently criticizing mainstream media's portrayal of Russia's conflict with Ukraine.

In response to ridicule from Stewart and others over his positive remarks about Russia, Carlson chuckled.

"It's like, 'How dare you have such expectations? Are you some kind of Stalinist?' No, I'm an American. I'm just a decent person", he commented. "I simply want to be able to go to the grocery store without fear of being harmed. ... It's quite bleak when you think about it, you know?"

Carlson was removed from his role as host of a prime-time show on Fox News last year and has since established his own media company.

Views diverge on Tucker Carlson and Jon Stewart's exchange

Upon Carlson's controversial remarks, viewers promptly flocked to social media platforms, showcasing a diverse range of reactions.

From strong disagreement to enthusiastic support, the breadth of responses illuminated the wide spectrum of opinions within the online community.

One wrote, "That’s funny! I remember Jon Stewart making Tucker Carlson look like the bozo he is. Back in the early 2000’s. Tucker Carlson supports domestic terrorism and a rapist, but Stewart is the regime tool?"

Another wrote, "Tucker is still salty about that bow tie remark by Stewart in 2004."

"He looks like he's panic stricken," voiced another. 

"Tucker might call out but he can never take down Stewart like Stewart does him," another viewer observed. 

"He’s still mad about crossfire," guessed another. 

One hilariously stated, "Tucker always looks like he's trying to sniff who farted. Hint--it was him."

"Tucker wishes he was Jon Stewart," expressed another viewer.

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.