Mike Huckabee unloads on 'bitter' Tucker Carlson after explosive NYT interview: 'He needs help'

WASHINGTON, DC: US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, on Saturday, May 2, launched a blistering attack on Tucker Carlson, saying the conservative commentator has become “unrecognizable” after remarks Carlson made in a new interview with The New York Times.

Huckabee’s furious response came after Carlson accused him of morally justifying the killing of innocent civilians.

Mike Huckabee says Tucker Carlson has become 'a bitter man'

Responding after Carlson’s interview was published on Saturday, Huckabee said he was stunned by the accusation and suggested Carlson is no longer the person he once knew.

“Poor Tucker needs help. He’s clearly circling the drain by saying something so outrageous,” Huckabee said in his written response on X.

“No sane person ‘advocates’ for the killing of children or civilians. Even the allegation is sick and evil.”

Huckabee then accused Carlson of selectively showing compassion while ignoring atrocities committed by violent groups.

“One never hears Tucker lament the killing of 1,200 women, babies, and elderly people by violent groups on October 7,” Huckabee said, before adding that Carlson’s “irrational hatred of Jews in general and Israel in particular” had clouded his judgment.

“Tucker’s contempt of President Donald Trump is just another instance in which the Tucker Carlson I once knew has become someone unrecognizable,” he said.

“He has become a very angry and bitter man, and it’s truly tragic to watch. I pray he finds himself and God.”

Tucker Carlson's explosive remarks to the NYT

Huckabee’s response came after Carlson, speaking to The New York Times, defended his criticism of US support for Israel’s military campaign and said he had directly challenged Huckabee over civilian deaths in Gaza.

“Christians can never support the killing of innocents, period. That’s just a bright red line,” Carlson said.

Speaking about his exchange with Huckabee, Carlson said “I was trying to get an answer, which I couldn’t get, and instead was accused of hate for trying to ask a very simple question.” 

Carlson also claimed he is trying “to awaken people to the killing of innocents,” and argued that political figures including Huckabee have helped shape the current moment.

The clash marks one of the most public breaks yet between two longtime figures on the American right, and highlights growing divisions inside Trump-world over the war in Gaza, US foreign policy, and the future direction of the conservative movement.