Tucker Carlson's Advice to Confront Mask-Wearing Strangers Resurfaces After 'Ambushing'
Fox News host Tucker Carlson's recommendation this spring for Americans to confront mask-wearing individuals has resurfaced after a filmed interaction between Carlson and a customer at an outdoor goods store was posted on Instagram.
The video was posted by Dan Bailey, who was seen in the video telling Carlson, "You are the worst human being."
"It's not every day you get to tell someone they are the worst person in the world and really mean it," Bailey's caption accompanying the video said. "This man has killed more people with vaccine misinformation, he has supported extreme racism, he is a fascist and does more to rip this country apart than anyone that calls themselves an American."
The confrontation between Bailey and Carlson occurred on July 23 at Dan Bailey's Outdoor Company in Livingston, Montana. The store released a statement clarifying the Dan Bailey in the video was not the same individual for whom the store was named.
"Coincidentally, the person engaging Mr. Carlson was a local resident named Dan Bailey. This person has no affiliation with our business, other than he shares the same name as our founder, who passed away in 1982," the store's statement said.
"To be clear, we treat every customer equally and respectfully," the store added. "Our staff was professional and cordial to Mr. Carlson, as we are with all of our customers."
When contacted for comment, a Fox News spokesperson said Bailey's actions were "totally inexcusable."
"Ambushing Tucker Carlson while he is in a store with his family is 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.
In a tweet posted Monday morning, Meghan McCain also slammed Bailey for confronting Carlson.
"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," the conservative pundit and daughter of the late Arizona Senator John McCain tweeted.
Bailey's criticisms revived discussions on social media about comments Carlson made in April about mask use in public. During Tucker Carlson Tonight on April 26, Carlson encouraged Americans to challenge those who continued wearing masks in public spaces. Carlson said those who were still wearing masks were doing so not out of necessity, but out of "political obedience."
"The next time you see someone in a mask on the sidewalk or on the bike path, do not hesitate," Carlson said. "Ask politely but firmly: 'Would you please take off your mask? Science shows there is no reason for you to be wearing it. Your mask is making me uncomfortable.'"
Carlson went on to suggest viewers continue challenging those who wear masks until the practice becomes "as socially accepted as lighting a Marlboro on an elevator."
"It's repulsive," Carlson said. "Don't do it around other people. That's the message we should send, because it's true."
