Tucker Carlson’s interview with South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R) at the 2023 FAMiLY Leader Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday started off the faith-based conference with a bang.
“Isn’t it good to be in a nation where you are free to praise the Lord?” said Scott to a sold-out crowd.
The stage was set with chairs for both Carlson and Scott, but Scott spent a good portion of the interview standing, working the stage, and speaking directly to the audience rather than directly to Carlson.
Scott earned laughter and the applause of the audience joking about appointing Carlson his future “Bye-Bye Ambassador.” Scott was referring to Carlson suggesting people in the country illegally could be rounded up and “dropped off in Tijuana.”
Scott dodged some of Carlson’s pointed questions on the war between Ukraine and Russia, but was adamant about keeping U.S. soldiers at home.
“We should never allow American soldiers to be engulfed into the challenge between Ukraine and Russia. Our boots on the ground should not be there.”
Scott similarly deflected Carlson’s question about sending cluster bombs to Ukraine, saying only that such a move would not be necessary if he were president.
“Totally with you,” Scott said, responding to Carlson’s suggestion that U.S. reservists should be deployed at the border to form a “human wall” rather than being sent to Ukraine.
“If you don’t control your own back door, it’s not your country,” he said, emphasizing the devastating effects of fentanyl brought into the country via Mexican cartels.
When Carlson asked about the flow of millions of illegal immigrants of military age into the country constituting an invasion, Scott said, “I don’t disagree.”
“[I want to] make sure the Mexican cartels cease to exist,” Scott also said.
Closing the southern border and building a wall was one of several applause lines Scott delivered during the approximately 25-minute interview.
“There are forces in this nation that hate objective truth,” Scott said. “Two genders, one truth.”
Scott ended his interview with Carlson the same way he began: emphasizing his faith.
“For those who don’t like commonsense conservative principles driven by the Judeo- Christian foundation, choose another candidate. It’s that simple.”
Carlson’s interview with Scott was the first of the daylong annual event.
Monday’s faith-based Summit kicked off with a worship session led by multi-GMA Dove Award-winning Selah, followed by an introductory address delivered by FAMiLY Leader CEO Bob Vander Plaats.
Scott praised Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for her commitment to protecting life earlier this week after Iowa lawmakers passed legislation to outlaw most abortions as soon as the unborn baby has a heartbeat. Reynolds will be signing the bill at the Summit later in the day.
“Great news! I celebrate states like Iowa and the leadership of Gov. @KimReynoldsIA that understand the importance of creating a culture that protects life,” Scott tweeted.
Other presidential hopeful interviewees at 2023 “Principle over Politics” FAMiLY Leader Summit in Des Moines’ Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center include Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Amb. Nikki Haley, and former Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Watch BlazeMedia’s live coverage of the Summit below, and be sure to stick around for Glenn Beck’s interview with Tucker Carlson exclusively on BlazeTVBlazeTV at the conclusion of the Summit.
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