Meghan McCain Condemns Man Who Confronted Tucker Carlson

Meghan McCain, the conservative pundit and daughter of the late senator John McCain, condemned supporters of the man who berated Fox News host Tucker Carlson when he was shopping with his family over the weekend.

"If you think accosting a public figure while they're shopping for fishing gear with their family on vacation is somehow accomplishing something or changing anyone's hearts or minds—you're a hypocrite and have totally lost the plot," said McCain, who is a panel member of the daytime talk show The View, in a tweet on Monday.

McCain appeared to be referencing a video from a Montana fly fishing shop that surfaced in an Instagram post on Monday that shows the poster, Dan Bailey, accusing the host of Tucker Carlson Tonight of "kill[ing]" people with vaccine misinformation and supporting "extreme racism." He also calls the Fox News host "the worst human being known to man."

In the clip, Carlson responds to Bailey quietly saying "I appreciate that" before laughing when he sees he is being recorded on camera.

He later refers to Bailey as "son" before Bailey responds saying: "Don't call me son."

A Fox News spokesperson condemned Bailey's "ambushing" of Carlson while he was at the shop with his family as "totally inexcusable."

"No public figure should be accosted regardless of their political persuasion or beliefs simply due to the intolerance of another point of view," the spokesperson said.

Dan Bailey's Outdoor Company, the shop in which the video was filmed, also issued a statement. It said the business was not related to the Dan Bailey shown in the video and added: "To be clear, we treat every customer equally and respectfully. Our staff was professional and cordial to Mr. Carlson, as we are with all of our customers."

Tucker Carlson, one of Fox News' most watched hosts, has said that he is "pro-vaccine." However, he has repeatedly cast doubt about the vaccine's safety, and recently compared asking about one's vaccination status as akin to asking them to reveal their HIV status.

McCain on July 19 defended Fox News amid criticism that presenters on its shows had undermined trust in the COVID-19 vaccine. She said she had not heard anyone at Fox News say not to get the vaccine.

McCain announced her resignation from ABC's The View on July 1, despite having two years left on her contract. McCain had spent nearly four years on the show.

Newsweek has contacted McCain for more comment.