Tucker Carlson Accuses CIA of Spying on Texts to Frame Him as Iranian Agent
In a dramatic video posted on X on Saturday night, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, 56, alleged that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) read his text messages in an effort to frame him as a foreign agent for the Iranian regime. Carlson stated that the Department of Justice was preparing to charge him with being an unregistered foreign agent based on the CIA's recommendation.
Claims of Criminal Referral and Surveillance
"The CIA is preparing some kind of criminal referral against me, a crime report to the Department of Justice, on the basis of a supposed crime I committed," Carlson said, as reported by the New York Post. He explained that the alleged crime involved "talking to people in Iran before the war," adding, "They [the CIA] read my texts." Carlson claimed he was set to be charged under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, which mandates registration for individuals paid by foreign governments for lobbying or political advocacy.
Carlson vehemently denied being an Iranian asset, asserting, "I'm not an agent of a foreign power. Unlike a lot of people commenting on US politics and global affairs, I have only one loyalty and that's the United States and have never acted against it." He emphasized that he has "never taken money" from another country, stating, "Don't need it, don't want it." Carlson defended his communications with foreign sources as part of his journalistic duties, saying, "It's my job to talk to everybody all the time and try to figure out what's happening around the world. I'm an American. I can talk to anybody."
Political Motivations and Wartime Context
The controversial pundit suggested that the investigation into him was politically motivated, linking it to his views on Israel. "There are some people who are mad at me for my views about Israel," Carlson said in the video. He argued that intelligence agencies tend to monitor American citizens more during times of conflict, noting, "Countries tend to become more authoritarian in wartime. There's much less tolerance for dissent."
Carlson has been an outspoken critic of President Trump's Operation Epic Fury and faced backlash for his interviews, including one with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian in July 2025, which experts like Marcus Kolga called a "major victory for Iranian information warfare operations." Carlson also condemned strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as "absolutely disgusting and evil," claiming the war was waged on behalf of Israel.
Reactions and Denials
President Trump distanced himself from Carlson in a March 5 interview with ABC News, saying, "Tucker has lost his way. I knew that a long time ago, and he's not MAGA. MAGA is saving our country. MAGA is making our country great again. MAGA is America first, and Tucker is none of those things. And Tucker is really not smart enough to understand that." Fox News host Mark Levin accused Carlson of amplifying narratives favorable to America's foes in the Middle East, while some critics have alleged financial backing from Qatar, a claim Carlson has strongly denied.
Carlson's meetings with President Trump at the White House in the weeks leading up to joint US-Israeli action on Iran on February 28, including one on February 23 after his interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, fueled speculation about his role. The timing led to rumors of a dressing-down by Trump, though Carlson maintains his actions were within journalistic bounds.
As tensions escalate in the Israel-Iran conflict, with Iran threatening to turn "all oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes" after US hits on Kharg Island, Carlson's case highlights broader issues of surveillance, free speech, and political dissent in wartime America.
