When Tucker met Putin

...and Biden met ghosts!

Well now, did you watch it? At last count 78m took a look at the momentous interview that Tucker Carlson conducted with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I sat through the set piece and I wanted to share my thoughts with you here, exclusively on Substack.

In the very first instance, let’s talk about the sheer scale of the interest this historic interview has generated. When Tucker had his prime time show on Fox News before being sacked, he brought in around 3m views. Now, using X/Twitter, he brings in a colossal 78m and rising. I forecast this number will rise north of 100m next 24 hours. This demonstrates that X platform in particular is killing legacy media. Maybe that’s why it hates on Musk. The immediacy of a mobile phone means you can watch this interview anywhere and at anytime. Convenience is everything. So the success of this interview in viewing numbers ALONE is another nail in the coffin of big media.

The interview takes place in the Kremlin and a translator is used for Putin to both understand Tucker’s questions and for the response. The two men are seated opposite each other and the mood seems professional, not really that friendly. Which is what it should be, of course.

For starters, in fact for the first 30 minutes, Putin goes into a long explanation of Russian history (including Ukraine) going back many centuries. As Tucker says at the prelude, he does not think this was the Russian President filibustering the time, but rather the President determined to place current event into his sweep of history. Putin speaks with knowledge and authority throughout the interview and there are a few moment where he shows annoyance with Tucker. I assume Putin is not used to being interrupted. That said, he also showed a sense of humour even though the matters discussed were serious.

For example, when discussing who blew up Nordstream, Putin says “you did!” and Tucker passed a joke saying that that he had an alibi on that night. Putin smiled and said perhaps you have an alibi but the CIA doesn’t! Putin also explained that the US more or less controls global media so there is no point trying to score propaganda pieces in the global mainstream media. Throughout the interview Putin comes across as a realist.

On the topic of Ukraine itself, Putin repeats his assertion that peace is possible IF the West stops sending weapons to Ukraine. He blames Boris Johnson for taking down the peace deal being floated in summer 2022. He also makes it clear that the de-Nazification of Ukraine is a key Russia objective and he is puzzled the “International community” does not share this aim.

Putin is very impressive discussing international finances and currency wars. He asserts that the US is shooting itself in the foot economically by trying to weaponise the dollar, and failing! His command of economic statistics is impressive and he comes across as man who loves his Country and will do what is needed to defend it.

When I compare this coherent, knowledgeable and eloquent Russian leader with the demented doddering US President I conclude that Russia is a formidable force and had the West any sense, it would seek to be an ally rather than an enemy of Putin.