A short, misleading video clip has once again become fuel for antisemitic conspiracy theories — this time targeting Israel through a distorted account of a conversation between Tucker Carlson and the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. What began as a discussion about U.S. policy toward Iran and the Epstein cover-up has been twisted by online agitators into “proof” of Zionist control over conservative media.
The Claim
The controversy erupted after The Megyn Kelly Show replayed Tucker Carlson’s retelling of a backstage chat with Kirk from a 2024 Turning Point USA event. Within hours, antisemitic influencers had clipped, edited, and reframed the segment, claiming it exposed “Zionist censorship.” Candace Owens amplified the doctored version, tweeting: “Tucker Carlson told the truth. I told the truth. Zionists hate us because we told the truth.”
The accusation — that Israel or “Zionists” suppress truth in American media — is one of the oldest antisemitic tropes. Its reappearance in right-wing discourse shows how easily legitimate debates about free speech and corruption can be hijacked into hostility toward Israel and Jews.
What Actually Happened
According to Carlson’s own words, the “Go Max” exchange took place backstage at a Turning Point USA event where he vented about “neocon” pressure for war with Iran and the Epstein cover-up. Kirk simply encouraged him to speak freely — to “go all the way.” No mention of Israel. No mention of Jews.
When Megyn Kelly revisited the story on her November 11, 2025 broadcast, she was explicit: the Epstein allegations had not been proven to involve Israel. She even cited denials from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and attorney Alan Dershowitz. The clip’s real topic was censorship and donor pressure inside the conservative movement — not “Zionist control.”
How It Was Weaponized
After Kelly’s episode aired, online agitators edited the video to strip out her clarifications and added inflammatory captions implying Jewish manipulation. The lie has spread rapidly through social media, finding an audience eager to blame Israel for unrelated controversies.
This is the same pattern that has followed every major crisis in recent years: antisemites seize ambiguous or unrelated content, reframe it through a “Zionist cabal” narrative, and present it as hidden truth. Each time, Israel becomes the scapegoat.
The Real Damage
What makes this episode dangerous isn’t the original conversation — it’s the way digital echo chambers turn confusion into hatred. The manipulated clip gave oxygen to conspiracies that feed antisemitism under the banner of “free speech.” It turned a conversation about transparency into propaganda for division.
Free debate strengthens democracy. Lies destroy it. Israel isn’t afraid of open discussion — but it should never have to defend itself against fabrications designed to make Jews the villains of every story.
