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Fox News personality Tucker Carlson was criticized after he unveiled a new conspiracy theory in the wake of the decision by the National Hockey League (NHL) to show support for transgender and nonbinary people.
Last week, the NHL threw its support behind a draft tournament in Wisconsin held late last month that was comprised entirely of transgender and nonbinary players.
The NHL's show of support lies in stark contrast to a recent wave of GOP-sponsored anti-trans legislation around the nation, much of which has focused on transgender inclusivity in sports.
The organization's tweet—which employed the hashtag #HockeyIsForEveryone—can be seen below.
\u201cThe NHL is proud to support this past weekend's Team Trans Draft Tournament in Middleton, Wisconsin. This was the first tournament comprised entirely of transgender and nonbinary players, with around 80 folks participating! #HockeyIsForEveryone #NHLPride\u201d— NHL (@NHL) 1669129506
But the NHL's support for one of the most marginalized communities miffed Carlson.
He dedicated an entire segment on his program to lambasting the "political forces" that have worked to "brainwash the young men who watch professional sports."
You can hear what Carlson said in the video below.
\u201cTucker: So clearly, you know, political forces hijack professional sports as a way to brainwash the young men who watch professional sports. That's the entire point of it. Strategic.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1669858335
During a conversation with former NHL player Theo Fleury about the politicization of professional sports, Carlson said:
"So clearly, political forces hijack professional sports as a way to brainwash the young men who watch professional sports."
That's, of course, the entire point of it. It’s strategic. But why does nobody push back?”
"Like, no, you're not allowed to do this in professional hockey. It's about hockey! Back off!"
"Why does nobody say that?"
He went on to accuse the NHL of eschewing its predominantly conservative fanbase "to push woke propaganda," critiquing the organization's efforts to diversify its fanbase and increase its audience after an internal demographic survey found its workforce, including players and coaches, is comprised almost entirely of White men.
Carlson's attack against the NHL is the latest example of Fox News coverage that has demonized transgender and nonbinary people as part of the ongoing "groomer" hysteria that has captivated the Republican Party, whose members accuse LGBTQ+ people of building relationships, trust and emotional connections with children so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.
Many have criticized him and his transphobia as a result.
\u201c#ConfusedFaceTucker \n\nDems BRAINWASH! Our secret plot wins! We will turn American into a free society for those who have been marginalized, ostracized and outcast. \nWe are sssooooooo bad. \n#GOPLies #GOPWakeUp\n#LoveNotHate #GOPCorruptionOverCountry\u201d— fuzionbunny (@fuzionbunny) 1669929111
\u201c@TuckerCarlson You hateful, disgusting, racist idiot. You clearly have had a privileged life that you are using for divisiveness and hate, rather than anything positive. Poor choices will follow you to hell.\u201d— Norma Moore (@Norma Moore) 1669908612
\u201cI love how at the end of this clip, @TuckerCarlson complains no one is pushing back about the delusional issue he just invented at the beginning of the clip.\u201d— Jon (@Jon) 1669859614
\u201cThe most-watched news program on cable television is telling its viewers that "the entire point" of professional sports is to brainwash its viewers\u201d— Timothy Burke (@Timothy Burke) 1669859713
\u201cTucker literally enjoys nothing in life.\u201d— J (@J) 1669859837
\u201cOdd how these people make so much about sports (which are all woke, so they don\u2019t watch anyway) and especially about protecting the sanctity of women\u2019s sports (which they consider a joke and routinely belittle).\u201d— Mike Jones (@Mike Jones) 1669860147
\u201cand Tucker / Fox News have never tried to brainwash their viewers. Oh no. Definitely not. That never happened. Ever.\u201d— Brynt (@Brynt) 1669880513
\u201cThe only positive take away from tucker carlson living in a constant state of fear is that it's bad for his heart/health.\u201d— Bitch Pudding (@Bitch Pudding) 1669904390
\u201cThe Matriarch of brainwashers @TuckerCarlson will convince his tribe something new about pucks any day now. @NHL\u201d— whydontyoucare (@whydontyoucare) 1669907662
Carlson's criticisms of the NHL's strategies to improve representation in professional hockey come mere days after he interviewed Jamiee Michell, the founder of the anti-trans group Gays Against Groomers which claims to be "a coalition of gays against the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children."
Michell was heavily criticized for being emphatic in her belief—with which Carlson concurred—gender-affirming medical care is to blame for last month's mass shooting at Club Q, a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ignoring the medical consensus on how gender-affirming medical care has successfully lowered lifetime suicidal ideation among transgender people.