“As much as I hate Tucker Carlson, I admit the New York beanie is a little tough,” one Instagram user said.
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Tucker Carlson’s latest range surprisingly resonates with both the political and political sides.
The conversationalist released a new line of merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, ball caps and mugs, on his Tucker Carlson Network website in early March. The merchandise takes a sarcastic jab at a more liberal-leaning audience, with items such as “NYC” beanies depicting a hammer and sickle, the widespread symbol of communism, instead of a C, T-shirts that read “Sorry, I thought you were the Fed,” and coffee mugs that say “Nation-building is gay.”
In a March 3 Instagram post, the network promoted T-shirts that read “AIPAC. An offer you can’t refuse,” after the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and a ball cap that reads “Neocons are gays who support war” across the front. Neoconservatism (neoconservatism) is a political ideology associated with a strong government presence in foreign affairs, including a strong military.
“It’s time to expose those who show and promote disdain for the endless foreign wars that are destroying our country,” the Tucker Carlson Network said in an Instagram post.
Item prices range from $25 for a mug to $60 for a zip-up hoodie. USA TODAY reached out to the Tucker Carlson Network for more information about the product.
After nearly seven years at the media company, Carlson parted ways with Fox News in 2023 and went independent, running his own media company, the Tucker Carlson Network, which he launched in 2024.
Social media reacts to ironic products
According to social media commentary, the new merch is appealing to Carlson’s supporters and critics.
“We already love you, Tucker. You didn’t have to make us love you even more,” one of Carlson’s followers commented on the network’s Instagram post promoting the product. Another follower commented: “As if I needed another reason to love Tucker.”
Several comedians have also expressed mixed feelings about the product.
“I hate it when evil people are funny,” content creator Jasmine Parniani said with a laugh in a recent TikTok video. “I need these so I can go to the thrift store to buy used items. As a socialist I can’t support it, but as a girly who loves little things I can’t support it??????”
“As much as I hate Tucker Carlson, I admit the NYC beanie is a little harsh,” one user wrote in an Instagram post listing various merchandise.
Co-op sells its own version of Tucker Carlson merchandise
Means Workwear, a clothing brand subsidiary of independent streaming service Means TV, has released its own line of Tucker Carlson-inspired products, including the Hammer and Sickle NYC beanie and the “Neocons are Gay for Israel” ball cap.
“If you looked at the Tucker Carlson merchandise and thought, ‘This is really bad, but I can’t root for Tucker Carlson,’ we’ve got what you need. In fact, it’s better than his merchandise,” a Means Workwear employee said in an Instagram video posted March 6.
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
