New Biography Critically Examines Tucker Carlson's Media Evolution
A new book titled Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind by reporter Jason Zengerle offers a critical exploration of Tucker Carlson's journey from a clubbable conservative journalist to a far-right media personality. Published by Crooked Media Reads, this work is the first to provide a detailed, unauthorised account of Carlson's career, positioning him as a pivotal and controversial figure in the Trump era.
From Conservative Critic to Maga Firebrand
Zengerle traces Carlson's transformation, noting that in the late 1990s, Carlson was a talented writer with a contrarian streak, working for publications like the Weekly Standard. He initially criticised figures within his own party, including once calling Donald Trump "the single most repulsive person on the planet" in 1999. However, over time, Carlson shifted towards endorsing Trump's agenda, particularly during his tenure at Fox News, where he hosted the highly rated Tucker Carlson Tonight.
The book highlights key moments, such as Carlson's 2009 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he argued for higher standards in rightwing media, only to be booed by the crowd. This event marked a turning point, as Carlson later embraced a more aggressive style, influenced by web-traffic data that showed a preference for provocative content akin to Breitbart.
Personal Background and Career Pivots
Zengerle delves into Carlson's early life, revealing details about his family, including his father Dick Carlson, a newsman and diplomat, and his mother, who abandoned the family. Carlson's career faced lows, such as being voted off Dancing With the Stars, but he rebounded by founding the Daily Caller and eventually joining Fox News. His decision to out-Fox Fox and take Trump's candidacy seriously propelled him to cable news stardom.
The book also touches on Carlson's private struggles, including his alcoholism, which he overcame in 2002, and his complex relationship with his brother Buckley. Despite these insights, Zengerle leaves some questions unanswered, such as the exact reasons for Carlson's firing from Fox in 2023 and whether he might run for president.
Influence and Controversial Stances
Since leaving Fox News, Carlson has leaned further into nativist and isolationist views, giving airtime to guests accused of extremism and making controversial statements about figures like Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zengerle argues that Carlson's influence remains significant, with his content reaching millions and shaping political discourse. The book suggests that Carlson's evolution mirrors broader shifts in conservative media and politics over the past three decades.
Zengerle's work concludes that Carlson, unlike earlier conservative outcasts, commands a massive audience, from heads of state to everyday viewers, making his radical views a potent force in today's media landscape. Hated by All the Right People is set for release on 27 January, offering a timely analysis of one of America's most polarising media personalities.
