Fox News host Tucker Carlson is facing some major backlash on social media this morning after he defended 17-year-old Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse for “maintaining order.”

During an episode of “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” the longtime Fox News host discussed the arrest of Rittenhouse, which occurred in Antioch, Illinois one day after he opened fire during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The shooting killed two and injured one, and he was charged with first-degree intentional homicide. During his broadcast, Carlson stated that since authorities in the area were not enforcing the law, instead allowing for protesting and rioting to go on for three straight nights. He then said it wasn’t surprising that Rittenhouse felt the need to take action.

"Are we really surprised that looting and arson accelerated to murder?” he asked. “How shocked are we that 17-year-olds with rifles decided they had to maintain order when no one else would?”

Naturally, the comment did not go over well on social media, and #FireTuckerCarlson was trending on Twitter nationwide on Thursday morning, with many calling for Fox News to fire the host over his comments, stating that he was rationalizing a terrorist act and justifying murder.

Others also took to social media to call for companies that have advertised during his show to pull their support.

Others also mentioned how Carlson was seemingly defending Rittenhouse because of his young age but noted that when Trayvon Martin, who was 17 when he was shot and killed, was given a very different treatment in the media.

However, others did take to Twitter to also defend Carlson’s comments, with many agreeing that he was right and stating that the situations are calling for this type of action since protests are not being quelled.

Others also defended the comment by stating that defunding the police, a popular call that has been rallied since protests picked up steam after George Floyd’s death, is also a reason for actions like the one Rittenhouse took.

It was also stated that Carlson spoke the truth, and despite calls to get him fired, it wouldn’t work.

Fox News has not released a statement as of press time.

Tucker Carlson
Tucker Carlson speaks onstage during Politicon 2018 at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, Oct. 21, 2018. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
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