Tucker Carlson Accuses Top Gay Democrat of Faking Sexuality
The conservative political commentator made the bizarre suggestion that the 43-year-old, who is married to a man with whom he has two children, is pretending to be gay.
Tucker Carlson has accused Democratic politician Pete Buttigieg of being “a fake gay guy” in a bizarre conspiracy theory rant.
The one-time Fox News star said he wants to ask Buttigieg “very specific questions about gay sex” to prove his sexuality.
The alt-right podcaster made the bizarre comments Wednesday during a conversation with conservative commentator Michael Knowles on his podcast The Tucker Carlson Show.

Pete Buttigieg and his partner Chasten Buttigieg adopted two kids together after tying the knot in 2018.
Drew Angerer/Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Carlson, 56, made the accusation when Knowles brought up Buttigieg, 43, as an example of liberal attitudes in politics being a response to cultural “incentives.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’ll give you Pete Buttigieg,” Knowles began, before Carlson jumped in with “The fake gay guy?”
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
“I have a friend who thinks he’s a fake gay,” Knowles added.
“My gay producer was always like ‘he’s not gay.’ He was with a girl like 20 minutes ago and like he wants to be the Democratic nominee, it’s like ‘Time for a gay guy!’” Carlson said.
Buttigieg came out as gay in 2015, when he was mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Since then, he went on to marry his partner, Chasten Buttigieg, in 2018 and the pair adopted two children.

Pete Buttigieg came out in 2018, making history as the first openly-gay cabinet secretary.
Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/WireImage
The former transportation secretary also made history as the first openly gay Cabinet secretary confirmed by the Senate. During Donald Trump’s first term, MAGA figure Ric Grenell, who is now running the Kennedy Center, was a member of the Cabinet as acting director of national intelligence. He was never nominated for Senate approval.
Carlson alluded to the suggesting that Buttigieg had faked his sexuality in order to advance his career, saying “It’s suffering for your art.”
Knowles replied, “If all the incentives were not to be like America-hating, gay, liberal, Pete Buttigieg, I am convinced–look this is purely my gut telling me this–he would be like waving the stars in bars, like whatever incentive were there he would go to it.”
The MAGA ally also admitted that he tried—and failed—to get Buttigieg to agree to an interview where he would ask invasive questions about his sexuality.
“He’s never agreed to interview, but I’m gonna ask him like some very specific questions about gay sex and see if he can even answer. I doubt he even knows!” Carlson said.

Tucker Carlson said he wanted to probe Buttigieg's sexuality by asking him questions about gay sex.
Win McNamee/Win McNamee/Getty Images
This is not the first time the right-wing podcaster has accused Buttigieg of faking his sexuality. In a podcast episode on July 2024 with Ari Shaffir, Carlson peddled the same accusations. The podcaster admitted he got backlash for his statements, but defended his statement saying he was not being homophobic.
“I’m not against gays, I’m just saying he’s not one,” said Shaffir, a sentiment Carlson affirmed with “That’s what I said!”
The Daily Beast has reached out to Buttigieg’s team for comment.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.




ADVERTISEMENT
Sign in or create an account
Login dialog
Loading comments…
ADVERTISEMENT