Screenshot via Tucker Carlson Network

News headlines on Tuesday reported that Tucker Carlson had “launched” a show on a Russian state media channel on Monday night. However, while it is true that Russia 24 did indeed air some of Carlson’s X program – it is not a new practice for that network and Carlson has long denied any business connection with the channel.

Newsweek published a breaking news story under the headline “Tucker Carlson launches show on Russian state TV” on Tuesday morning, which they later edited to “Tucker Carlson Show Aired By Russian State TV.” Some other outlets followed suit, like the Daily Beast, which ran a headline saying “Kremlin TV Drops ‘New’ Tucker Carlson Show.”

Mediaite reported back in September of 2023 that Russia 24 had begun airing lengthy clips from Carlon’s show. When asked for a comment at the time on reports that he had penned a deal to appear on Russian state TV, Carlson told Mediaite, “This is completely absurd. Reporters are so dishonest and stupid. I’ve never even heard of this channel.”

Russia 24 promoted Carlson’s program at the time airing on its network, saying, “American host is moving to another level. Here.” Oddly, the first episode Russia 24 chose to air of Carlson’s online show had nothing to do with the anti-Ukraine rhetoric that has made him popular with Russian propagandists, but instead was some twenty minutes of his interview with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) about his impeachment trial for corruption.

Similarly, with Monday night’s programming on Russia 24, the network aired a May 10th episode in which Carlson discussed conspiracy theories related to Lyme disease and pondered whether or not it could be a bioweapon.

Apparently, what was new on Monday is that Russia 24 rebranded the segments as a program called “Tucker. Rossiya 24.”

Tucker Carlson Network CEO Neil Patel shared the Newsweek story and added, “The Tucker Carlson Network has not done any deals with state media in any country. Whoever is currently pretending to be the old Newsweek brand would know that if they had checked with us before printing like news companies are supposed to do.”

The Tucker Carlson Network has not done any deals with state media in any country. Whoever is currently pretending to be the old Newsweek brand would know that if they had checked with us before printing like news companies are supposed to do. https://t.co/xbukz58F88

— Neil Patel (@NeilPatelTDC) May 21, 2024

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