Tucker Carlson criticized for warning Fox News viewers about ‘big news stations’

Fox News host Tucker Carlson is being criticized for telling his viewers on Friday night that they should distrust news reports from the “big news stations.”

“If you’re looking to understand what’s actually happening in this country, always assume the opposite of whatever they’re telling you on the big news stations,” Carlson said, despite Fox News sitting on top of the cable news ratings for 197 consecutive months.

{mosads}His comments led some to poke fun at his apparent contradiction and to also note the damage such comments can have on the public trust in journalism.

CNN’s Brian Stelter called the comments “sad,” while Michael Barbaro at The New York Times called them “repugnant” and “literally damaging to our democracy.”

Isn’t this sad? Tonight @TuckerCarlson told his viewers not to believe ANYTHING they learn from his rivals: “If you’re looking to understand what’s actually happening in this country, always assume the opposite of whatever they’re telling you on the big news stations.”

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 15, 2018

Not just sad. Repugnant. Literally damaging to our democracy. https://t.co/vpB1hpFdZo

— Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) June 15, 2018

Other journalists mocked Carlson’s credibility.

Fox News host last night. “If you’re looking to understand what’s actually happening in this country, always assume the opposite of whatever they’re telling you on the big news stations.” Which is like a GM executive saying: if you want to risk your life, take a ride in a Ford.

— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) June 15, 2018

Always trust the boyfriend who tells you to ditch your family and your friends. https://t.co/0Mm0oj3sYt

— Will Saletan (@saletan) June 15, 2018

Carlson, like others on Fox News, has often gone after the media for what he views as unfair coverage of President Trump. Fox News is often criticized for not being tough on the president while having strong influence over him. Trump is a regular viewer and reportedly speaks regularly to several Fox News hosts.

On Friday morning, Trump had an impromptu interview with Fox News’s “Fox & Friends” on the North Lawn of the White House, where he made a number of startling comments.