Tucker Carlson's son works for Indiana Rep. Jim Banks. GOP whip race makes it a hot topic
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GOP lawmakers and pundits are publicly jumping to the defense of Buckley Carlson, communications director for Indiana's Rep. Jim Banks and son to Fox News host Tucker Carlson, following a report and resulting labels of nepotism.
In a heated conversation over the weekend, the senior Carlson demanded Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer, chairman of the House Republican campaign committee, reveal who on his staff mentioned his son's hiring in another report or he would assume it was Emmer himself, Axios reported on Sunday.
IndyStar reached out to Buckley Carlson and Banks' office for comment Tuesday morning.
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Carlson's anger stemmed from a Daily Beast article where a GOP strategist supposedly tied to Emmer brought up Buckley as an example of Banks' faulty MAGA support.
“Deep down, he dies to be liked by the Establishment. He hires Tucker Carlson’s son, a 24-year-old kid, to be his communications director,” the anonymous strategist told the Daily Beast.
Following the phone call, Axios reported that Carlson did not reach a resolve with Emmer and still blames his office.
1. @TuckerCarlson is OUTRAGED that anyone would suggest that his son Buckley Carlson got his job as Communications Director for @RepJimBanks on anything other than PURE MERIT
Let's look at the facts— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) October 24, 2022
The storm of tweets in the past 24 hours have many declaring Buckley Carlson and his role a result of "nepotism" while prominent GOP figures are launching attacks on Emmer, including Donald Trump Jr. and Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Why did Tom Emmer tell his consultants to run to the leftwing Daily Beast to trash Jim Banks, Tucker Carlson and Tucker's family? Does he really think that’s a winning strategy for a Republican House leadership race? Pathetic! pic.twitter.com/kFwi1C5M1P
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 21, 2022
Trump Jr. tweeted again that Emmer was a coward for "trying to throw the staff of another member of Congress under the bus" to cover himself.
"I stand with Buckley Carlson," Greene tweeted.
In the background of this fight, three contenders, including Banks and Emmer, are battling it out for House Majority Whip, if Republicans take control on Election Day.
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Banks has served as congressman for Indiana's 3rd District since 2016. He is up for reelection Nov. 8.
Rachel Fradette is a general assignment reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at rfradette@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter at @Rachel_Fradette.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: GOP figures defend Tucker Carlson's son Buckley after nepotism jokes
