What Does Tucker Carlson's Jan. 6 Footage Prove?

Tucker Carlson (Right bias) showed exclusive footage from the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot this week, reviving debate and spurring accusations of disinformation.

The Details: Carlson's Monday and Tuesday night Fox News (Right bias) shows featured never-before-seen footage from the riot. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) gave Carlson access to the footage last month. 

Key Quotes: Carlson said the footage shows Jan. 6 was "mostly peaceful chaos." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called Carlson's display "one of the most shameful hours we’ve seen on cable television." Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said "it’s important to show that the Jan. 6 committee may be selectively edited." U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said the broadcast presented "offensive and misleading conclusions."

How the Media Covered It: Many left-rated sources accused Carlson of deceptively selecting footage and painting a false image of Jan. 6. Many highlighted Republicans and officials who criticized Carlson. Some on the right agreed. Many other right-rated outlets framed the footage as evidence that the riot was more peaceful than media and Democrats have said, and highlighted calls to exonerate people wrongly accused of violence. Washington Times said the footage showed many who breached the Capitol "were not a raucous 'deadly' mob" but a "group of people walking around the Capitol like tourists." A CNN analysis said Carlson, Fox, and former President Donald Trump are "spinning a history-defying alternative reality that is putting truth and democracy on the line yet again."