After a guest on his show warned that Donald Trump’s indictment marked a “civil war era” in the United States, Fox News host Tucker Carlson remarked that Americans should hold on to their assault rifles.
Carlson’s guest, right-wing activist Ned Ryun, also warned that America was headed for a “one-party state and authoritarian government” and urged Republicans to take up a policy of “mutually assured destruction” against Democrats, whom he accused of “launching nukes at us.”
“Probably not the best time to give up your AR-15, and I think most people know that,” Carlson commented after Ryun’s spiel.
Carlson hyped up the possibility of impending armed conflict for his entire show. Noting the recent mass shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, and Donald Trump’s indictment, Carlson had earlier asked a guest, “It almost feels like they’re pushing the population to react. ‘We think they’re demoralized and passive, let’s see if they really are.’ At what point do we conclude they’re doing this in order to produce a reaction?”
Later, another guest, commentator Jason Whitlock, agreed with Carlson’s assessment, saying, “They are agitating for unrest, that’s the only way to interpret this.”
“I’m ready for whatever’s next, and I hope every other man out there watching this show — I hope you’re ready for whatever’s next,” Whitlock added later. “If that’s what they want, let’s get to it.”
“It feels like this is not the behavior of people who want the current system to continue,” Carlson responded. Whitlock concluded his appearance by referring to “elites,” saying “they are the devils, they’re the ones that don’t believe in God.”
“Jason Whitlock, I agree, thank you very much,” Carlson responded.
