“The Young Turks” host Cenk Uygur acknowledged on Tuesday that Tucker Carlson, founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, treated him respectfully during his conversation with participants at a Turning Point USA event.
In December 2024, Uygur appeared alongside TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk on the “AmericaFest” stage, where they discussed a potential “populist rebellion” against Democratic leaders. Reflecting on the Democrats’ reaction to Kirk’s assassination and how they spoke about Carlson’s show, Uygur mentioned that Carlson inquired about the attendees’ treatment of him, and praised Uygur’s commitment to non-violence.
Uygur began by expressing gratitude for Carlson’s supportive sentiments. “How have I been treated at Amfest? I need to be honest. When we engage with right-wing audiences, my guiding principle is straightforward,” he shared.
“You would agree that being anti-war is the right stance, right? So, is my response that I still dislike you? No, that’s not it,” Uygur continued. “The right response is, ‘Oh, thank goodness. That’s great! Now let’s focus on what’s next.'”
Since Kirk’s assassination the previous week, numerous individuals on the left, including educators, have faced termination after celebrating his death publicly. Others in the Democratic camp, including lawmakers, criticized his murder, particularly directing their ire at President Trump and his supporters.
Uygur noted the criticism of the “platform” and highlighted that Kirk had provided him the opportunity to speak. “With that in mind, I must say, those present were genuinely wonderful,” Uygur remarked, eliciting laughter.
As tensions escalated between Republicans and Democrats during the 2024 election cycle, corporate media and VP Kamala Harris intensified their attacks on Trump. Harris even branded Trump as a fascist, while Biden suggested locking him up.
A recent poll by Napolitan News Service indicated that, following Kirk’s death, 26% of people aged 18 to 34 found it challenging to empathize with others. Additionally, 24% of Democrats echoed similar sentiments.
Despite some Democrats’ harsh responses, TPUSA has experienced significant growth both online and on campuses. According to Kirk’s executive producer Andrew Corvette, the organization launched a new chapter within 48 hours, receiving over 32,000 inquiries. Currently, TPUSA boasts about “900 official college branches and around 1,200 high schools,” totalling a presence in 3,500 locations, as noted by Corvette.
