When word hit social media on Wednesday that former Fox News host Tucker Carlson had been "detained" for questioning during a visit to Israel, people were understandably concerned. One news report suggested that Carlson and his team, who were in the country to interview U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, had been mistreated while they were at a Tel Aviv airport preparing to depart the country.
Carlson told the Daily Mail, "Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about. It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country."
Social media users wondered if Carlson was being singled out for his increasingly anti-Israel rhetoric; he often interviews people who are hostile to Israel and Jews – including Holocaust deniers like Nick Fuentes – on his top-ranked podcast, and has been heavily criticized by many on the right for offering little-to-no pushback at the often outlandish claims being made by his guests. (See: Holocaust denial.)
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Perhaps, others wondered, there was more to the "detainment" story being pushed by Carlson?
It turns out that folks were right to question what exactly happened at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, and the Daily Mail soon updated its story after a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Israel denied Carlson has been detained and clarified that Carlson "received the same passport control questions that countless visitors to Israel, including Ambassador Huckabee and other diplomats, receive as part of normal entrance and exit from Israel."
The representative added, "The only engagement the Embassy had with Israel about his visit was to coordinate his private plane landing as part of facilitating a seamless visit. It was Tucker who chose to only come into the country for a few hours and depart. And Tucker received the same positive treatment of any visitors to Israel."
Huckabee took to X to express his appreciation that the true story had come out.
Thanks @EFischberger for a more accurate report. EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions. Even ME going in/out with Diplomatic Passport & Diplomatic Visa. https://t.co/UbblLiznMO
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 18, 2026
But, wait, there's more. Social media users were quick to point out that Carlson and his team had made use of a private terminal at the airport, which comes with special VIP perks. It turns out that Carlson was merely subjected to the same questions that every traveler faces when arriving in and departing Israel, and he was likely also treated to special white-glove treatment that most will never experience.
Tucker Carlson paid thousands of dollars to arrive at the private Fattal terminal at Ben Gurion airport, for he and his crew to avoid the lines and crowds at the main terminal in Israel. It's a concierge service used by visiting dignitaries, Hollywood celebrities, rock stars,… pic.twitter.com/ji8qmazkRF
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) February 19, 2026
Tucker Carlson paid thousands of dollars to arrive at the private Fattal terminal at Ben Gurion airport, for he and his crew to avoid the lines and crowds at the main terminal in Israel. It's a concierge service used by visiting dignitaries, Hollywood celebrities, rock stars, famous athletes, members of Congress, and other wealthy families for privacy and convenience. The terminal features private suites, conference rooms, and a variety of upscale food and exotic drinks. The service allows travelers to have their security check and go through passport control in an exclusive, comfortable space, away from the public.
For @TuckerCarlson to describe his luxury treatment as being "detained by Israel" shows you how delusional and hateful he is toward the Jewish State. It also shows you how gullible some people are to promote his insane anti-Israel story of mistreatment.
Ask yourself, if Tucker lied about his VIP airport lounge experience, how many other lies has he told about Israel?
The question here is: what did Tucker Carlson think he would gain by lying about being detained? Is he so out of touch with the real world that being treated like every other tourist was alarming to him? Or, did the interview with Huckabee possibly go so badly for Carlson that he needed a reason to deflect the attention? Whatever the reason, he seems to be in a worrying downward spiral.
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