Tucker Carlson And Justin Trudeau I've never been a friend, but the Canadian prime minister's claims this week have taken his long-running feud with the fired Fox News host who has become a far-right social media and podcast figure to a whole new level. Speaking under oath at a public hearing on election interference, Trudeau claimed that Russian state-run news channel RT had financially supported Carlson's efforts as well as the work of the conservative Canadian author Jordan Peterson.

Trudeau made the claim Wednesday at the Canadian Commission on Foreign Interference, during one of several public hearings on possible foreign interference in the country's recent election. The issue in this case was the so-called “Freedom Convoy,” a protest by Canadian truckers in early 2022 against vaccination requirements and other efforts to slow the spread of the deadly virus. The protest, which blocked roads in major cities across the country, received vocal support from right-wing figures, including Senator Ted Cruz and Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis. It also generated positive coverage from Fox News hosts Sean Hannity, Laura Ingrahamand then-employees Tucker Carlson.

A translation of Trudeau's statement said: “We have seen anti-vaccination messages during the convoy and during the pandemic amplified by Russian propaganda, particularly in the right-wing media.”

As the pandemic subsided, the focus of this alleged propaganda shifted from opposition to COVID-19 regulations and restrictions to clear messages of support for the Russian president Vladimir Putin. “We recently saw that RT is currently funding bloggers and other right-wing YouTube personalities like Jordan Peterson,” Trudeau said, referring to the right-wing internet celebrity.

According to Trudeau, the propaganda outlet also supports “other household names, including Tucker Carlson, to amplify messages that destabilize democracies.”

This is not the first time RT has been accused of funding American influencers. At a press conference this month, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken claimed RT paid pro-Trump social media stars nearly $10 million. But according to Peterson, he hasn't seen a dime.

In conversation with the National Post On Friday, Peterson said he had never been funded by RT, “not ever in the past and not now.” The author, who strongly supported the truckers' protest and has been vocal against vaccinations, said he is considering suing Trudeau over the accusation because “I don't think that's reasonable for the prime minister of the country, me, basically.” a traitor, and I don’t find that amusing.”

Carlson has made no secret of his admiration for Russia, including through several broadcasts from the country and an interview with Putin in early 2024. However, he denied that his pro-Russian content was part of a coordinated plan. “I’m from La Jolla, California,” Carlson said after the interview. “I am not a fan of Putin. Please.”

Carlson made a similar denial in May when it was revealed that Russian state television channel Rossiya was airing 24 repackaged versions of his X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube shows in a series titled ” Tucker. Rossiya 24. According to CNN reporter Hada's goldCarlson had no idea his content was on Russian television. “Of course I have no partnership with Russia,” he said. “The first time I heard about it was (this) morning.” Vanity Fair has reached out to Carlson for comment on Trudeau's claims but did not receive a response at the time of publication.