Conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson has been declared the "Antisemite of the Year" for 2025 by a prominent Jewish civil rights organisation. The group, StopAntisemitism, cited his platforming of extremist figures and promotion of divisive rhetoric as key reasons for the controversial designation.
The Controversial Interviews and Accusations
StopAntisemitism's founder, Liora Rez, confirmed to The New York Post that Carlson won the title "by an overwhelming vote margin." The decision stems largely from a series of interviews conducted by Carlson throughout the year, most notably his late October conversation with white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
During that broadcast, Fuentes attacked "organised Jewry in America," advocated being "pro-white," and expressed admiration for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Carlson himself used the platform to criticise "Christian Zionists" supporting Israel, naming former President George W. Bush, former Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and Senator Ted Cruz.
The watchdog group accused Carlson of using his substantial platform to normalise antisemitism, including by downplaying white supremacy and promoting the "great replacement" conspiracy theory. "He turns dog whistles into a megaphone for hate," a statement read.
Immediate Backlash and Conservative Division
The Fuentes interview provoked significant backlash, even within conservative circles. Florida Republican Representative Randy Fine, who is Jewish, labelled Carlson "the most dangerous antisemite in America." The conservative Heritage Foundation was accused of scrubbing Carlson's name from a donation page, though its president later offered a partial defence.
Fellow right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro delivered a scathing condemnation at a Turning Point USA event, calling Fuentes a "Hitler apologist, Nazi-loving... piece of refuse" and criticising Carlson for building him up. Former President Donald Trump, however, defended Carlson, citing his past support.
Carlson dismissed his critics in an interview with Megyn Kelly, telling them to "buzz off" and stating he was merely trying to "understand what people think."
Unexpected Turn and Lasting Impact
In a bizarre twist, Nick Fuentes himself later turned on Carlson. In a livestream rant earlier in December 2025, Fuentes demanded Carlson stay away, calling him "a faker" and claiming he had "never met a faker human being."
StopAntisemitism's Liora Rez emphasised the real-world consequences of such rhetoric. "Words don't kill, but they dig the graves by inflaming hatred," she warned, linking influential platforms to a surge in antisemitic threats and violence. The group also highlighted Carlson's other interviews, including with Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac and historian Darryl Cooper, as contributing to a climate that normalises anti-Jewish narratives.
The "Antisemite of the Year" title underscores deepening fractures on the American right over issues of race, extremism, and the boundaries of acceptable discourse, with Carlson remaining a central and polarising figure.
