But that's exactly what he called former Democratic President Barack Obama, and folks online have wasted no time pointing out his hypocrisy.
The comment, video of which can be seen below, came in response to Obama's criticism of certain media outlets stoking racial fears in White viewers and readers.
Tucker Carlson on Obama: "That guy is a hater! For real!"pic.twitter.com/KNxmbvx6fL— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1623200757
Obama's comments on the media came from an interview he did recently with CNN's Anderson Cooper in which he lamented the current state of right-wing media, which he said relies on constant fear-mongering to retain their viewerships.
Obama told Cooper:
"There are certain right-wing media... that monetize and capitalize on stoking the fear and resentment of a White population that is witnessing a changing America and seeing demographic changes, and do everything they can to give people a sense that their way of life is threatened and that people are trying to take advantage of them."
Obama went on to criticize the Republican Party's and right-wing media's obsession with Critical Race Theory, an academic theory that states American racism has systemic impacts upheld by legal systems. Conservatives like Carlson have made a cottage industry out of misrepresenting the theory, claiming it asserts that all White people are inherently racist.
Notably, though it seems obvious Obama's comments were directed at Carlson and Fox News, he never mentioned either in his criticisms. That didn't stop Carlson from taking the bait, however. After showing clips of Obama's sit-down with Cooper, Carlson looked into the camera and scoffed:
"That guy is a hater. For real."
Carlson also called out Obama for having "spent eight years dividing the country along racial lines," and wondering why he didn't just "retreat to Hawaii and Martha's Vineyard."
On Twitter, people lambasted Carlson for his comments, with many pointing out that Obama's description of right-wing media perfectly summarizes Carlson's show.
I watched the CNN show last night. Obama was positive though he acknowledged that the GOP has gone farther down the rabbit hole than he thought possible. I can relate. He wasn\u2019t being a hater. I kinda am.— Sheila Condon (@Sheila Condon) 1623203700
He knows his audience won\u2019t listen to a word Obama said.— Nuancically Tweeting (@Nuancically Tweeting) 1623201323
How do they say these things with a straight face?— Protect Voting Rights (@Protect Voting Rights) 1623202682
Lol, Tucker is doing a great job to divide America— Jonathan Webers (@Jonathan Webers) 1623201274
Honestly, Tucker should just put his white hood on and call it a day.— candace owens critic (@candace owens critic) 1623201269
Ummm... Pres. Obama was basically recapping segments that Carlson has actually done. A few years ago, he did a rant where he basically said that white people are not racist for wanting fewer brown people in their neighborhoods that are changing "too quickly."— Tony C \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Tony C \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1623203014
stuck pig squealshttps://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1402431741374218244\u00a0\u2026— John Harwood (@John Harwood) 1623201176
stop trying to make fetch happen, tuckhttps://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1402431741374218244\u00a0\u2026— Scott Weinberg (@Scott Weinberg) 1623201780
There's more hate in Tucker's jowls than in Obama's whole person.— Tony Salazar (He/Him) (@Tony Salazar (He/Him)) 1623201717
\u201cOBAMA STOKING RACIAL TENSIONS\u201d is a banner to appear without irony on Tucker Carlson\u2019s show.https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1402431741374218244\u00a0\u2026— Oliver Darcy (@Oliver Darcy) 1623200970
Carlson's seeming offense at Obama's comments should probably surprise nobody. As the old saying goes, "hit dogs holler."
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