“Axis Sally” was a nickname given to women who, during World War II, broadcasted German and Italian propaganda on the radio in an attempt to demoralize American soldiers. Similarly, Tucker Carlson, a prominent American journalist, has gained notoriety for his support of foreign dictators and propagating their messages. While Carlson’s influence may not rival that of Axis Sally or “Tokyo Rose,” his words are still significant and circulate within both international and domestic far-right circles.
Carlson’s critiques often stem from a deep-seated disdain for American institutions and many Americans themselves. Recently, during an event in Budapest, Carlson publicly criticized the U.S. ambassador to Hungary and expressed embarrassment for American foreign policy in the country. However, when I spoke with Ambassador David Pressman, he explained that American foreign policy in Hungary primarily focuses on combating Russian and Chinese espionage and influence. These external forces have made significant investments in Hungary, including a secretive nuclear power plant and an opaque railway project, both financed by Russia and China respectively. Additionally, Hungary’s ties with the Russian-controlled International Investment Bank and its suspicious activities have raised concerns for American officials.
Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to address these issues, Orbán, the prime minister of Hungary, has resisted change until recently, when sanctions were imposed on the bank. During Carlson’s visit to Budapest, he echoed Orbán’s anti-U.S. sentiments, highlighting cultural differences and painting a false picture of American hostility towards Hungary’s Christian value system. However, the conflict between the U.S. and Hungary stems from corruption within the ruling Fidesz party and Hungary’s close associations with autocratic regimes.
Orbán’s tactics of diverting attention from his corrupt actions mirror those of other autocrats, including Vladimir Putin. Putin has long used propaganda to distract his citizens from the reality of his aggressive actions and instead emphasizes culture wars between Russia and the West. Carlson has adopted similar techniques, promoting Russian propaganda and disinformation, particularly about Ukraine and its president. These narratives contribute to the larger false narrative of a weak and degenerate America versus healthy autocracies with traditional values.
While these tactics may seem inconsequential, they have found a receptive audience within the American far-right, perpetuating the rhetoric of a cultural battle against an imagined enemy.
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