The former Fox News host addressed viral reports that he was detained in Israel, saying authorities questioned members of his team but denying he was personally interrogated.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Tucker Carlson has publicly responded to claims that he was detained at an Israeli airport, disputing elements of a widely circulated report and describing what he characterized as an uncomfortable security encounter involving members of his production team.
The controversy began after a Daily Mail report alleged that Carlson had been detained and interrogated while departing Israel. The story quickly gained traction online.
In a newly released interview with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Carlson addressed the incident directly. At the outset of the conversation, he stated that after concluding his interview with Huckabee, Israeli authorities retained his and his producers’ passports.
Carlson said two members of his team “were called into rooms and given the third degree.” He described one producer emerging from questioning and telling him, “That was the weirdest experience of my life. They asked me questions about the interview.”
Carlson added, “They were doing an intel op and humiliation exercise on my producer. This isn’t security. We are leaving right now!”
A clip summarizing Carlson’s comments was circulated by commentator Owen Shroyer, who wrote, “Tucker addresses the ‘detaining’ for the first time today. It turns out the video that went viral ‘debunking’ the story had absolutely nothing to do with it, wasn’t based in reality or fact & was selectively edited, as anyone should’ve been able to tell,” in a post dated February 20, 2026. The post included video excerpts and was shared widely on X. The clip can be viewed here.
Despite discussing the questioning of his staff, Carlson did not state during the interview that he personally had been taken into a room or formally detained, a detail that contrasts with the original characterization of the incident.
Shortly after the Daily Mail story went viral, separate security footage surfaced online showing Carlson at the airport smiling, embracing a man and posing for a photograph. Some users cited the footage as evidence contradicting claims of detention. The video was shared by Oli London, who wrote, “🚨EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE: Tucker Carlson’s lies unmasked after he is seen HUGGING Israeli Airport staff member and posing for photo-despite claiming he was ‘detained’ and ‘hauled’ off by security,” in a February 19, 2026 post on X. That footage is available here.
Carlson addressed that video as well, stating that it was recorded prior to his interview with Huckabee and identifying the man in the clip as his driver rather than an airport staff member.
Following the initial report, Ambassador Huckabee issued a public statement addressing airport procedures in Israel. “EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions. Even ME going in/out with Diplomatic Passport & Diplomatic Visa,” Huckabee wrote.
Carlson’s full interview with Huckabee, which includes his remarks about the airport incident and broader discussion topics, is available here.
Original article
Comments