In his appearance at the 2024 World Governments Summit in Dubai, Tucker Carlson continued his praise of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and expressed his admiration for cities outside of the United States. He claimed that cities like Moscow, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi are cleaner, safer, and more aesthetically pleasing than any city in the U.S. Carlson also made negative remarks about American cities, particularly New York City, citing concerns about safety and cleanliness.
However, Carlson’s claims are met with criticism and skepticism. His exaggerations about the dangers of New York City’s subway system and the prevalence of rape in the United States are not supported by available statistics. In fact, New York state has one of the lowest reported rape statistics in the country.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that the cities Carlson praises, such as Moscow, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, are located in countries that rank poorly in terms of freedom and human rights, according to Freedom House. Russia and the United Arab Emirates are categorized as “not free” by the nonpartisan nonprofit organization. Singapore is listed as “partly free.” Tokyo is the only example that aligns closely with the civil liberties of the United States.
Carlson then offered his diagnosis for the issues he sees in American cities, claiming that they no longer resemble the cities he grew up with in his imagination. He suggested that crime and other societal problems can be solved through strict control and discipline, using the analogy of not allowing his children to smoke marijuana at the breakfast table. However, this analogy is criticized as intellectually vacuous and paternalistic.
Finally, Carlson criticized New York City for being “filthy” and complained about the lack of graffiti cleanup. However, infrastructure and city maintenance require resources and funding, which the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden have prioritized with their infrastructure bill. On the other hand, Carlson’s beloved Republicans, under Trump, failed to address these issues effectively.
In conclusion, Tucker Carlson’s praise of foreign cities and criticism of American cities are met with skepticism and criticism. His exaggerated claims and misrepresentations undermine the validity of his arguments. Furthermore, his proposed solutions to societal issues are seen as simplistic and unrealistic.
