On his Monday night opinion show, Fox News host Tucker Carlson floated a theory that Michelle Obama would run for President in 2020.
Despite Obama repeatedly stating she has no interest and no intention of running, Fox News then booked Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake to ask him for a comment on Obama's non-existent 2020 presidential campaign.
Carlson—who frequently passes on conspiracy theories on his show—opined the reason President Barack Obama had not endorsed his form VP was because his wife would enter the 2020 race. Based solely on the strength of Carlson's unfounded theory, Blake was invited to Fox studios to comment.
However Blake took the opportunity to address a more pressing concern.
DNC vice chair MICHAEL BLAKE: Why the hell does Tucker Carlson still have a job here … The reality is this is someo… https://t.co/uNxBcJlxBL— JM Rieger (@JM Rieger)1574785316.0
Blake answered the question by saying:
"She's not running."
Then Blake pivoted to a question that was based in reality and not conspiracy theory.
He asked:
"But the core question is why the hell does Tucker Carlson still have a job here in the first place? The reality is, this is someone who said White supremacy is a hoax, and why does Fox allow him to be here in the first place?"
Hemmer tried to redirect the discussion back to Michelle Obama, a topic that has no basis beyond Carlson's opinion show, but Blake was undeterred.
He replied:
"I think the core question is he shouldn't be on here at all."
At that point Hemmer told Blake he wasn't brought on the show to talk about Carlson.
@RiegerReport I didn’t bring you on to talk about Tucker Carlson, so let’s get back to my question on what Tucker Carlson said.— KP (@KP)1574805239.0
People echoed Blake's sentiment.
However some had an answer for the question of why someone who pitches conspiracy theories has a job at Fox News.
@RiegerReport @sambrin16 I think we all know why Carlson has a job at FoxNews, don't we? It's like asking why Steph… https://t.co/RMti6EY8uy— Anne (@Anne)1574829835.0
@RiegerReport @jonfavs Thank you @MichaelBlake @DNC for speaking the truth to FOX, to power and to the nation.… https://t.co/KuF4clzbev— Susan Higgins (@Susan Higgins)1574787134.0
@RiegerReport Shorter Fox "News': "Sir you need to stick to the script we agreed on if you want to be on our channel'— Schenck (@Schenck)1574791357.0
@RiegerReport @jonfavs Well done @MrMikeBlake ! Every guest on @FoxNews should follow your example— Cecilia Nord (@Cecilia Nord)1574787446.0
@RiegerReport @jonfavs @MrMikeBlake @FoxNews If the ’counter narrative’ consists of lies it’s people’s obligation t… https://t.co/mzp3jY8lKF— Cecilia Nord (@Cecilia Nord)1574800106.0
@RiegerReport GOD forbid @BillHemmer that @FoxNews would bring someone of the network that would actually speak truth!— ℙ𝕙𝕚𝕝 ℂ𝕠𝕝ó𝕟 (@ℙ𝕙𝕚𝕝 ℂ𝕠𝕝ó𝕟)1574789707.0
@RiegerReport FOX news is 1 /4 news stories, 1/4 fantasy fan fiction , 1/4 pure speculation and 1/4 lies for effec… https://t.co/eW9Pr0MYzd— Graceinla (@Graceinla)1574800497.0
@RiegerReport I'm confused on how they can hide behind the "opinion" part of their title yet spew nonsense as facts… https://t.co/nOXCsotjq5— John Buck (@John Buck)1574804332.0
@RiegerReport Somebody had to do that whether it was rude or not. Besides, the Republicans have gotten a pass for a… https://t.co/cdt3DpTKqb— Racer X (@Racer X)1574801468.0
@Iddybud @RiegerReport @BillHemmer @TuckerCarlson @FoxNews Hooray for #MichaelBlake, @DNC vet and a House candidate… https://t.co/1Yl4Udfx2j— Philip Turner (@Philip Turner)1574797134.0
@politico He brought the heat and didn't back down. More people need to go after that cesspool network and the damage they are doing— COLTSFAN4LIFE38 (@COLTSFAN4LIFE38)1574790100.0
Carlson has come under fire for comments on White supremacy, his own White nationalist and White supremacist leanings, his promotion of conspiracy theories and most recently for saying he's rooting for Russia in any showdown with Ukraine.
The book The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America is available here.