So here's a thing that happened over the weekend: Tucker Carlson, the conservative commentator, took to X to say the CIA has been reading his text messages. Not just casually scrolling, mind you, but allegedly using them to build what he calls a "crime report" for federal prosecutors. The supposed crime? Violating the Foreign Agent Act by talking to people in Iran.
Carlson says he learned the intelligence agency is moving toward a criminal referral to the Justice Department. The core of the allegation, according to his post, is "talking to people in Iran before the war." He added, bluntly, "They read my texts."
In a video message, Carlson said he is "apparently" being pursued under the Foreign Agent Act but argued the theory doesn't match his conduct. "I'm not an agent of a foreign power," he stated, claiming he has "never taken money" from any foreign government. He framed it as a basic citizenship question, saying he is an American and should be free to speak with whomever he chooses. "Legally, I think, the case is ludicrous, and I doubt it'll even become a case," he added.
This isn't happening in a vacuum. The allegation comes as Carlson has publicly blasted what he described as "absolutely disgusting" U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, a stance that has put him at odds with former President Donald Trump. ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl relayed that Carlson labeled the strikes "absolutely disgusting and evil." Karl said he reached out directly to Carlson for comment and later posted a video describing the exchange on X.
In his message, Carlson said he raised the allegation because he believes wartime politics reduces tolerance for dissent, arguing that countries become "more authoritarian" during conflicts. He said war brings "much less tolerance for any kind of dissent," including in the United States.
He further suggested his past criticism of Israel may have made him a target within the CIA. Carlson said, "[There are] some people who are mad at me for my views about Israel and they have some latitude," and he described referrals as a pathway authorities can use to pursue surveillance warrants.
In the same post, Carlson argued intelligence officials sometimes leak damaging narratives to "humiliate and terrify" people they view as opponents. He presented that as another reason he believes a referral could surface even if no case follows.
Karl also reported Carlson had visited the White House the prior week, describing the trip as an effort to maintain influence with Trump even as the two diverged on Iran.
This scrutiny comes amid increasing concerns regarding the potential for conflicts of interest between Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions and his family's business dealings, particularly following the Trump Organization's agreements for a luxury golf resort in Qatar and developments in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Carlson expressed apprehension about these ties, labeling them as "corruption" during a discussion about the implications of Trump's Middle East ventures on U.S. policy.
The backdrop of these discussions is crucial, as Trump's administration recently finalized over $200 billion in agreements with the UAE, raising further questions about the intersection of his political and personal financial interests. This context may heighten the political stakes for Carlson as he navigates his criticisms of U.S.-Israel relations and Trump's military strategies, especially amid escalating tensions in the region, which have seen market volatility increase. Traders have been watching for spillover into energy and broader risk assets, with oil supply worries rising alongside the escalating rhetoric.
