Is Tucker Carlson Piers Morgan's fanboy? British anchor's unapologetic stance on Meghan Markle lauded by Fox host
Tucker Carlson showered praise on Piers Morgan on Wednesday night, March 10, calling the British TV host an "inspiration" and lauding his refusal "to let the mob make him lie."
Morgan, a former presenter on CNN and Daily Mail editor at large, had lashed out at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry over their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired Sunday night in the US.
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The British journalist has accused Meghan Markle and Harry of damaging the royal family and exploiting it for publicity while shirking the responsibilities that came with their respective roles. Morgan went so far as to accuse the Los Angeles-born actress of lying in the interview and declared that he did not believe her account of what happened.
Morgan's criticism did not sit well with his 'Good Morning Britain' co-host Alex Beresford, who launched a verbal attack against his colleague and caused him to storm off the set on Tuesday, March 9. Meanwhile, the chief executive of ITV, Carolyn McCall, said she believed Markle "completely."
Morgan appeared to have no regrets while speaking to reporters outside his West London home on March 10. "If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it," he said.
Carlson was impressed by the stance taken by his fellow TV host across the pond. "He left his job on the British morning show after failing to be sufficiently impressed by that whiny duchess from LA complaining about how hard her life is," the Fox News star said. "Now Piers Morgan knew what the script was supposed to be - 'oh, you poor oppressed duchess' - but he refused to read it, so now he's unemployed."
Carlson also quoted a statement tweeted by Morgan just hours after the fallout with ITV. "On Monday I said I didn't believe Meghan Markle and her Oprah interview. I had time to reflect on this and I still don't. If you did, okay. Freedom of speech is a hill I'm happy to die on. Thanks for all the love and hate, I'm off to spend more time with my opinions," Morgan wrote.
On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t. If you did, OK. Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions. pic.twitter.com/bv6zpz4Roe
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 10, 2021
Carlson compared Morgan's response to criticism to how musician Winston Marshall -- the banjoist for British folk-rock band Mumford and Sons -- had reacted when he was called out.
Marshall had also been slammed for praising conservative journalist Andy Ngo’s book 'Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy' in a March 7 tweet, which said: "Finally had the time to read your important book. You’re a brave man." When criticism intensified against him, Marshall had deleted the tweet. Two days later, he apologized for his words and said he was "taking time away from the band" to "examine my blindspots."
Carlson appeared to favor Morgan's response when compared to Marshall's. "So Winston Marshall is leaving his job - another victory for the fascists on the internet," said Carlson, ruefully. "That's one way to handle attacks on speech, just surrender: that's what most famous people do. You see it every day. The guy that used to host The Bachelor may never work again. His crime? No one even knows what he did wrong. But he apologized for it anyway."
"Like Winston Marshall, Piers Morgan is out of a job tonight, but unlike Winston Marshall, Morgan told the truth," Carlson continued. "He refused to let the mob make him lie, and that is an inspiration to all of us. Piers Morgan just reminded the world that some things are more important than having a job. Like your dignity and your self-respect. History will treat him well. Good for you, Piers Morgan," he concluded.