Carlson posts apology video on X platform
Commentator Tucker Carlson publicly apologized after making a statement alleging that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had appeared on Jeffrey Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In a roughly two-minute video posted on the X platform on the evening of February 22, Carlson stated that no relationship existed between Herzog and Epstein. He said the apology came after receiving a letter from the Israeli President's team completely refuting the accusation.
Controversial statement based on AI-edited image
The controversial statement appeared in an exchange between Carlson and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee a day earlier. Carlson referenced an image showing Herzog and Epstein, which was later confirmed to be an inauthentic product of artificial intelligence editing.
In the correction video, Carlson stated he had no evidence that Herzog had visited Little St. James island, which Epstein owned before his death in 2019 while awaiting trial in New York. He admitted he should not have implied holding information he had not verified himself.
Israel trip also sparked debate
Epstein, a financier convicted of sex crimes, died in Manhattan detention in 2019. The case, involving influential figures, garnered global attention.
Carlson's recent trip to Israel also generated further debate after he claimed to have been detained at the airport, while subsequent images showed him taking photos with staff at Ben Gurion Airport.
The apology marks a rare backtrack for Carlson in his public statements regarding international politics.
