Tucker Carlson, the controversial former Fox News host, recently made headlines when he claimed that his prep school alma mater, St. George's School, banned him from speaking on campus because the administration deemed him 'too dangerous' and feared that 'people could be killed.' The incident came to light when a video of Carlson speaking to a group of students from the school via Zoom was posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
In the video, Carlson recounted the lengthy ordeal he had to endure to speak with the students. He revealed that he had attended the boarding school in Middletown, Rhode Island, as a teenager and had even sent his three children there. Furthermore, he had gotten married on the school's campus to his wife, Susan Andrews, who had also attended St. George's.
According to Carlson, he was initially notified that students at the school were interested in having him come and speak to them. However, when he attempted to set up a time and date for the visit, he received no response from the school. Determined to get a 'straight answer,' Carlson persisted in reaching out to the school and eventually spoke with the headmaster and a board member.
To his surprise, Carlson was informed that it would not be safe for him to come on campus because 'people could be killed.' He then discovered that the school did not have armed security guards on campus, which prompted him to offer to bring his own security detail. However, the school denied his request, citing their 'no guns' policy.
Carlson expressed his disbelief and frustration, stating, "And I'm like, what? Your security aren't armed? I sent three kids there. If I knew you didn't have armed security, I wouldn't have sent my kids there."
The situation took a surprising turn when the school discovered that Carlson had recorded the Zoom session with the students. In response, the administration fired back at the former controversial host, alleging that he had violated their agreement by recording the conversation without prior notice.
In a letter addressed to the campus community, the school's administrators, who oversee an institution with an annual tuition of more than $76,000, expressed their disappointment with Carlson's actions. They stated, "After careful consideration, the school leadership decided that a virtual conversation between Mr. Carlson and interested students was the best way to honor the invitation and ensure campus safety. We are disappointed that Mr. Carlson chose to record and share the Zoom discussion. The students deserved to know in advance if that was the plan."
The school further added that they were 'most troubled' by Carlson's 'unfair criticism of our dedicated faculty and staff.'
Throughout the chat with the students, Carlson openly discussed his experience with the school prior to the Zoom session. He dramatically stated, "I found, honestly, in my exchanges with the administration at St. George's, a total resistance to having anybody who they don't agree with even in the same world."
Carlson went on to tell the students that the reason he wasn't able to see them in person was that the school 'hated' his politics. He clarified that he understood that not everyone at the school might have wanted to hear him speak and that he was okay with that, emphasizing, "I don't think you should force your views on anyone. I don't believe in that. They did it to me at St. George's and I didn't like it, and I said so at the time."
He then detailed the communications between himself and the school, noting that 'no one would answer.' After waiting for over a week for the head of the school, Michael C. Wirtz, to return his call, Carlson found the entire process 'hilarious.'
When Wirtz finally did call him back, Carlson claimed that the headmaster expressed concern that his visit would 'garnish national media attention.' Carlson, amused by the headmaster's choice of words, remarked, "And I was like, garnish? The parsley on your steak? What are you even talking about? I think you mean garner."
Carlson then questioned Wirtz's position and mocked the way he spoke when asked if Oprah would receive the same treatment.
Subsequently, Carlson received a call from a board member who informed him that students did not want him to come to campus and considered him 'embarrassing.' Carlson's response was, "Okay, you're not hurting my feelings, but this Henry kid seems smart, if he wants me to come then I'll go sit in a basement and I'll talk to Henry for an hour and I'll leave."
The exact number of students who attended the Zoom session with Carlson remains unclear.
Carlson revealed that he was eventually told he wasn't wanted on campus because the school questioned the safety risk he could bring. He continued his rant, asking if the response would be different if President Joe Biden wanted to visit the school. "If Joe Biden wanted to come Abrams tanks and F-16's, you would allow him because you like Joe Biden. I mean stop lying to me," Carlson said.
As the clip of him talking to the students ended, Carlson expressed his sympathy for the students attending the school, saying, "Calm down, you're not gonna hurt anybody, ideas you don't agree with are not dangerous, in fact, they should be welcomed, you should be happy to hear them." He then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Carlson continued to make comments about the school as students on the video call asked him questions.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about free speech, campus safety, and the role of educational institutions in fostering open dialogue. While some have criticized St. George's School for their handling of the situation, others have defended the school's decision to prioritize the safety and well-being of their students and faculty.
Carlson's claims have also raised questions about the security measures in place at prestigious boarding schools and the responsibility of these institutions to ensure the protection of their students.
As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how St. George's School will address the controversy and whether Carlson will face any further repercussions for his actions. The incident has undoubtedly reignited discussions about the challenges faced by educational institutions in navigating the complex landscape of free speech, safety, and ideological diversity in an increasingly polarized society.