Tucker Carlson: Robin Roberts ‘colluded’ with Jussie Smollett ‘to perpetuate his hoax’

Fox News host Tucker Carlson said late Wednesday that “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts “colluded” with actor Jussie Smollett to convince people that he was attacked by two men in Chicago who shouted homophobic and racist slurs.

Carlson asked after felony charges were filed against the actor why members of the media, including Roberts, were not more skeptical of Smollett’s story.

{mosads}”I don’t know what the evidence is either, but I know a B.S. story when I see one,” Carlson said on his show. “I thought it from day one.”

“But why [is] the media, which is paid to be skeptical and paid to chase down facts, are the ones demanding that we believe [him]?” Carlson added. “I mean, Robin Roberts on ABC colluded with this guy to perpetuate his hoax. Other channels, the dishonest ones we compete against, are not even covering this development, apparently.”

During her interview with Smollett, which the actor reportedly requested due to a personal connection with the host, Roberts questioned Smollett about the attack and his reaction to those who doubted his story, but did not press him further on the details of the attack.

Roberts addressed the controversy in a statement on the show Monday, telling viewers that her interview with the actor occurred before police officers decided his account was not “credible.”

“When I sat down with Jussie, it was Tuesday night in Chicago, at the time to give his first account, publicly give his first account of what he said happened,” she said.

“At that time, on Tuesday, police officers were saying that his account was consistent, it was credible, and that he was being cooperative. Now this was all before the interview aired on Thursday, and then we found out about the brothers.”

The Hill has asked ABC for comment.

Smollett was arrested early Thursday after felony charges of disorderly conduct and filing a false police report were filed.