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Do Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity agree about the merits of capitalism, or do they disagree — that is the question.
It’s a question that popped into existence after an awkward hand-off that occurred between the two at the end of Carlson’s FNC program Tuesday night.
Earlier on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” he’d blasted Democrat-styled capitalism for allowing Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to profit bigly amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But as he handed his show off to Hannity shortly thereafter, his colleague seemed to take a shot at him.
“People can make money, they provide goods and services people want, need, and desire? That’s America. It’s called freedom, capitalism, and as long as it’s honest, right? People decide,” he said.
Now watch the expression that appeared on Carlson’s face as Hannity spoke:
(Source: Fox News)
It seemed he had the impression that Hannity was refuting his gripes about capitalism.
Of course, also keep in mind what Hannity said next: “Alright, Tucker. Great show. Welcome to Hannity.”
Would he have described the show as “great” if he disagreed with Carlson?
Regardless, the sentiment on social media quickly became that Hannity had “refuted” Carlson, with even The Daily Caller — which was founded by Tucker — pointing this out.
Look:
Tucker Carlson ended his show by criticizing the fact that Jeff Bezos has gotten richer during the pandemic.
Hands off to Sean Hannity who refutes him. pic.twitter.com/bspPD3Y5dF
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 22, 2020
But about an hour after TDC posted the tweet above, Hannity responded with a lengthy denial and apology. Not an apology for disagreeing with Carlson — no apology would be needed for that, in fact — but for allegedly being misinterpreted.
Look:
I was very clear I support capitalism. If someone is honestly providing goods and services people want, need, and desire I’m fine with that. If they capitalize on tragedy, that’s a different issue and I was very clear. I’ve seen no evidence of that. But if I do, watch out.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) July 22, 2020
I was reiterating Tucker’s point on NOT being versus capitalism. I was in the chair one minute before airtime and I was specifically responding to the end of Tucker’s interview when he said he supported honest capitalism, I had not heard any of the other part of the interview.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) July 22, 2020
I apologize for any misunderstanding to Tucker and the fox audience. I support freedom and Capitalism. Not people taking advantage of a pandemic. If I see such evidence I will obviously condemn it.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) July 22, 2020
But Carlson hasn’t said anything about “honest capitalism.” While speaking about Bezos, who’s profited “bigly” amid the pandemic, he said that while he supports the basics of capitalism, he believes “something is skewed” with the current system.
“The coronavirus shutdowns, whether they were necessary or not, have indisputably crushed huge parts of the American economy. Millions of Americans remain out of work. Many more are draining their savings. … But at least one person has become extremely rich — richer than any man in history — from all of this, including a lot of the suffering,” he said.
“That would be Amazon’s CEO, Democrat donor, owner of The Washington Post, Jeff Bezos. Jeff Bezos just yesterday made $13 billion dollars. Now, 20 years ago, if that had happened — if a captain of industry had made $13 billion dollars in a single day while the country got poorer — the Democrat Party would have had something to say about it. Not anymore, because the people getting rich are members of the Democrat Party.”
He then added, “I’m not against wealth accumulation, I’m not against free enterprise, but $13 billion dollars in a day suggests something is skewed with the system.”
Maybe it was that particular line that Hannity had heard?
Listen:
Here was Tucker’s segment on Jeff Bezos that proceeded this exchange
pic.twitter.com/G3uYTytRpC— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 22, 2020
Social media users responded to Hannity’s “apology” in various ways. Some said they didn’t believe him. Others said it doesn’t matter either way, because he’s entitled to his own opinion. And others still pointed out that none of this matters, because Carlson’s point wasn’t so much about capitalism as it was about the Democrats’ hypocrisy.
View the various replies below:
No one believes you Sean.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) July 22, 2020
Dude! It’s OK to express yourself. I side with Tucker but never apologize. We still love you too.
— Legal Immigrant Proud American (@i_am_samorost) July 22, 2020
I think everyone is missing the point @TuckerCarlson was making–i.e. Democrats always rail about income inequality and yet a Democrat like Jeff Bezos can be taking advantage of pandemic to FURTHER income inequality while using major paper (i.e. WaPo)–that HE OWNS–for cover.
— Anthony S. Khoury (@askmeabouthelaw) July 22, 2020
I get it. You were getting ready for your show & missed the preceding 5 min only caught last 30 sec. It happens. ❤😂
— SoccerMom*** (@McHenryGmail) July 22, 2020
sounds like an honest mistake. it’s understandable.
— Casey (@bulkchart32) July 22, 2020
I think it was a misunderstanding
— tyler news (@tylernews1) July 22, 2020
All in all, most people don’t seem to think it’s a big deal — and chances are extraordinarily high that the relationship between Carlson and Hannity won’t be affected by this.
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