Tucker Carlson Calls Iraqis ‘Semiliterate Primitive Monkeys’ In 2008 Interview (Audio)

Media Matters releases newly unearthed audio

In another batch of unearthed audio released by Media Matters, Tucker Carlson called Iraqis “semiliterate primitive monkeys,” made disparaging comments about Michelle Obama, credited white men for “creating civilization,” and used an anti-gay slurs.

The audio, released Monday evening, was taken from appearances on the “Bubba the Love Sponge Show,” between 2006 and 2011 and features Carlson discussing a range of topics, from the 2008 presidential election, to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and immigration.

“Iraq is a crappy place filled with a bunch of, you know, semiliterate primitive monkeys — that’s why it wasn’t worth invading,” Carlson told the shock jock in October 2008, according Media Matters.

In another clip from 2011, Carlson said that the war in Iraq could turn around “if, somehow, the Iraqis decided to behave like human beings.”

In 2006, Carlson told the radio show he had “zero sympathy” for Iraqis because they “don’t use toilet paper or forks,” adding that they should “just shut the f— up and obey” us.

Carlson told the radio host in 2008 that Michelle Obama could pose a problem for her husband because she “turns into a sister.”  Carlson also questioned whether Barack Obama was black, saying, “How is he Black, for one thing? He has one white parent, one Black parent.”

And during a 2006 discussion on immigration, Carlson argued that immigrants should be “hot” or “really smart” because people picking lettuce aren’t going to build a stronger country.

“I just think it’s, you know, people who come to this country ought to have something to offer,” he said. “Be hot, be really smart, you know what I mean?”

In a separate post published by Media Matters, Carlson can be heard using homophobic slurs during a 2006 conversation with Bubba the Love Sponge.

The host host tells Carlson: “I like you. I mean, I’m not trying to f– out on you or nothing.”

Carlson responded: “Well I like you too, and I mean that. You always say, “I mean that in a non-f– way,” but I actually mean it in a completely f—– way.”

Asked for comment, Fox News referred us to remarks Carlson made on his show Monday evening — which was airing when Media Matters released the latest audio — in which he said that “Fox News is behind us, as they have been since the very first day.”

“Toughness is a rare quality at a TV network, and we are grateful for that,” Carlson continued. “We will never bow to the mob, ever, no matter what.”

This the second set of unearthed audio recordings in as many days; On Sunday, Media Matters released several audio clips in which Carlson made disparaging comments about women and prosecution of statutory rape, among other things.

The release of the audio prompted renewed calls on social media for Fox to fire Carlson and advertisers to boycott his nightly show. On Monday, Pharmaceutical company AstraZenica said it would no longer advertise on Carlson’s show.

Carlson has not yet responded to the latest audio recordings, but in a statement Sunday night he was defiant. “Media Matters caught me saying something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago. Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: I’m on television every weeknight live for an hour,” Carlson said. “If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why.”

You can listen to the entire audio above.

 

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