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Tucker Carlson described Iraqis as “semiliterate primitive monkeys” in past comments made on the Bubba The Love Sponge radio show, according to new audio recordings uncovered by Media Matters. The Fox News host also claimed Iraqis don't “behave like human beings” and said he had “zero sympathy” for Iraqis or their culture during a May 2006 discussion of the Iraq War on the popular radio show. “A culture where people just don't use toilet paper or forks,” Carlson said—adding that Iraqis should “ just shut the fuck up and obey” the U.S. because “they can’t govern themselves.” In a Sept. 2009 episode, Carlson also proclaimed that Afghanistan would never be a “civilized country because the people aren't civilized.”
Carlson touched on the subject of immigration in a May 2006 episode, and said immigrants should have “something to offer”—like being “hot” or “really smart.” “But people to come over and pick lettuce, I mean, I'm not saying that's an undignified... but on the other hand, is that—are those people who are going to build, you know, a stronger country 20 years from now?” he asked. Carlson also credited white people with “creating civilization and stuff” in a clip from a Sept. 2008 episode, and said the Congressional Black Caucus existed to “blame the white man for everything” in an Aug. 2008 episode.