Reality bites. There he was, creating a big ole controversy over his trip to Russia to interview Vladimir Putin and while he was on a plane from Dubai, Tucker Carlson learned about the news that imprisoned Putin critic Alexei Navalny is dead. 

Talk about bad timing. 

Let me start by saying that I don't have a problem that Tucker went to Russia and filmed an interview with Putin for his show. That used to be called journalism. Journalists talk to ruthless dictators when the opportunity arises. It's not treasonous that Tucker interviewed Putin, as his critics say. You may not like Tucker's opinions or his role as a libertarian with an online show but he is known for digging into stories. You know, like journalists used to do.

The problem I had with Tucker's time in Russia was that he looked like a stooge for Putin when he posted little videos of things like his excursion to a Russian grocery store or sang the praises of Russia's transit system. He talked about how clean Moscow is. WTH, Tucker? Was he playing nice in hopes of making sure he would be able to leave the country safely or did he honestly buy into the propaganda? His complimentary commentary was bizarre. He should know better.

How does Tucker feel about what he described as cheap grocery prices and clean train stations now that Mr.Navalny is dead? He told the Daily Mail that  'It's horrifying what happened to Navalny. The whole thing is barbaric and awful. No decent person would defend it.'

The former Fox News host told DailyMail.com that he was on a plane travelling from Dubai when Navalny's death was announced. 

'I didn’t even know it happened till I saw the Daily Mail story' Carlson explained. 

Russian news outlets announced Navalny's death on Friday morning, citing the Siberian prison service where he was serving a nineteen-year sentence for 'extremism', sparking fury across the globe.

Carlson's interview was a soft one but that is what could have been expected. It's been seen around the world and others question Carlson's handling of it. 

When quizzed about the limitations of the interview at the World Government Summit, specifically regarding the imprisonment of Navalny, Carlson said 'every leader kills people, leadership requires killing people.' 

During the interview Carlson heaped praise on Russia throughout, calling Moscow 'so much nicer than any city in my country.'

'I had no idea. It is so much cleaner, and safer and prettier, aesthetically. Its architecture, food, and services than in any city in the United States. And this is not ideological' he effused. 

Those remarks are why Carlson is criticized by those of us who aren't bothered with the fact that there was an interview but of how Carlson behaved while in Russia. It's classic propaganda. Countries like Russia, or China, put on a happy face for tourists and visiting dignitaries. Real life in Russia is a hellish existence for most Russians. Why would Tucker pretend otherwise?

As I write this, Trump's reaction has not surfaced in social media. Nikki Haley got out in front of Trump with her comments about Navalny's murder.

Putin murdered his political opponent and Trump hasn’t said a word after he said he would encourage Putin to invade our allies. He has, however, posted 20+ times on social media about his legal drama and fake polls.

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 16, 2024

Joe Biden's comments came alarmingly late. He waited long after Kamala Harris briefly spoke of Navalny's death at the beginning of her speech at the Munich Security Convention. Secretary of State Blinken and NSA Sullivan gave statements, too, before Biden.  

Navalny's wife is in Munich, attending the security conference. 

Navalny's father confirmed the death of his son, Russian media report.

Yulia Navalnaya, Aleksey Navalny's wife, spoke during the Munich Security Conference:

"I want to call on the entire international community, everyone in this room, people around the world, to unite… https://t.co/ULLF4pJP05 pic.twitter.com/sr9HwlT8SJ

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) February 16, 2024

God bless her and her children.

Biden isn't a tough guy. He just plays one on television. He claims that three years ago he threatened Putin with "dire consequences for Russia if Navalny died in custody." He made no mention of any such thing in his remarks today. All he wanted to do was blame Trump and lecture the House to pass a financial package for Ukraine. The reason Putin acts with impunity is because Biden is seen as weak. Putin does not fear him.