Fact Check

Yes, Tucker Carlson Called a Top U.S. Military General a 'Pig'

Carlson's comment elicited a strong reaction from critics online.

Published June 25, 2021

 (U.S. Department of Defense)
Image Via U.S. Department of Defense
Claim:
Fox News primetime host Tucker Carlson called U.S. Army four-star Gen. Mark Milley "stupid" and a "pig."

Fox News primetime host Tucker Carlson took to the cable airwaves on June 24, 2021, to call Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, a four-star general, "stupid" and "a pig."

Carlson was responding on his show about a heated verbal exchange between Milley and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, one day earlier. During that exchange, Gaetz baselessly accused U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of hiring a "critical race theorist" to advise him. Austin said he had no knowledge of the assumption underlying that accusation.

In his response to this exchange, Milley stated that he found Gaetz's accusation that the military is "quote, woke" to be offensive. That comment can be heard at the 1:07 mark in the video below:

Carlson played a video of Milley's commentary:

At the end of the video, Carlson giggled and stated, "He is not just a pig, he is stupid. So Mark Milley reads Mao to understand Maoism. He reads a communist to understand communism, but it is interesting that he doesn't read white supremacists to understand white supremacy."

Carlson's commentary earned widespread backlash online, including some observing what they described as hypocrisy:

According to the Department of Defense's website, Milley has served in the U.S. military for 39 years, serving in "multiple command and staff positions in eight divisions and Special Forces" and embarking on multiple tours, which included the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Carlson, a long-time television personality, is the stepson of the Swanson frozen dinner heiress Patricia Swanson. Carlson did not serve in the military, but he supported the war in Iraq initially. He later changed his mind.

Bethania Palma is a journalist from the Los Angeles area who started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and has covered everything from crime to government to national politics. She has written for ... read more