Tucker Carlson, a staunch ally of Donald Trump, has sparked backlash with a bizarre claim that abortion is “probably” the cause of hurricanes, dismissing the widely accepted link between extreme weather and climate change.
In a recent appearance on Steve Bannon’s MAGAWar Room podcast, Carlson presented his controversial theory, suggesting that hurricanes are a “consequence” of what he described as “human sacrifice” through abortion.
“I’m sure I’ll be attacked for saying this, but I really believe it,” Carlson said. “People are like, ‘Oh, we had another hurricane, it must be global warming.’ No! It’s probably abortion, actually.”
Carlson elaborated on his theory, arguing that “You can’t kill children on purpose… you can’t participate in human sacrifice without consequences.”
The comments came just days after two deadly hurricanes, Helene and Milton, caused widespread devastation across the southeastern United States. Milton, the strongest late-season storm ever recorded in the Gulf, set new records for intensity, underscoring the growing severity of extreme weather events. However, Carlson offered no acknowledgment of the overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is fueling more intense storms.
Studies have shown that global warming is making hurricanes stronger and wetter. According to nonprofit Climate Central, the air can hold an additional 4% moisture for every degree of global warming, leading to heavier rainfall. Similarly, research by World Weather Attribution found that human activity, particularly fossil fuel emissions, has significantly increased the likelihood of intense storms like Helene.
Carlson’s remarks come amid heightened attention to climate change and its impacts, as well as the political climate leading up to the 2024 election. The former Fox News host, who has become a prominent figure in Trump’s reelection campaign, has repeatedly used his platform to advance right-wing talking points, often disregarding scientific consensus in favor of controversial narratives.
Carlson’s comments also follow a series of inflammatory statements during his appearances at Trump rallies. At a recent event in New York, Carlson made headlines for misidentifying Vice President Kamala Harris as “Samoan-Malaysian” while mocking her qualifications. The remarks drew swift backlash, with critics calling them racially insensitive and factually inaccurate.
Watch the clip below:
Tucker Carlson: "People are like, 'oh, well, we had another hurricane, it must be global warming.' No! It's probably abortion, actually. Just being honest. You can't kill children on purpose. You can't participate in human sacrifice without consequences." pic.twitter.com/k8LBaQYX17
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 4, 2024
