Tucker Carlson Known as Out By 9/11 Households Over Greg Norman Interview Defending Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Tour – Deadline

“We’re not taking sides on this,” mentioned Tucker Carlson on his in style Fox News present final night time, “however one of many greatest controversies in sports activities in a few years is going down between the PGA Tour and an upstart tour known as LIV.”

Carlson then supplied up an interview with LIV tour CEO and golf legend Greg Norman.

“Why is it so offensive to some American golf followers that you just’re doing right here?” the Tucker Carlson Tonight host requested.

“I don’t know. I actually don’t actually care, fairly truthfully. I actually simply need to develop the sport of golf,” replied Norman. “We at LIV see that chance not only for the lads however for the ladies. We at LIV see it for NCAA and youthful generations. We at LIV see it as a pathway to alternatives for these youngsters to expertise a brand new world on the market. LIV is the way forward for golf.”

One one that wish to reply to Carlson’s question is Terry Strada, of 9/11 Familes United. CNN’s Oliver Darcy wrote in its Dependable Sources column, “A spokesperson for 9/11 Families United advised me that the group reached out to Carlson’s crew to see if they’d be concerned with having a 9/11 household on this system, given Norman’s look. However I’m advised that Carlson by no means responded.” 

Strada herself responded to Carlson’s sitdown with Norman on Twitter writing, “@TuckerCarlson did you simply say re: LIV Golf you’re NOT taking sides? Nice to listen to, I think about your producer shall be calling me then to come back on & speak about 9/11 households facet???”

Deadline reached out to Fox Information and can add any remark obtained.

One cause many are criticizing the LIV tour is as a result of it’s backed by the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF). The fund is which is led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler and the person the CIA says is behind the grisly 2018 homicide of Washington Put up columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was an outspoken critic of the Kingdom.

Households of 9/11 victims usually are not framing the controversy as LIV vs. PGA, however the U.S. vs. a backer of terrorism. They take umbrage on the direct line to Saudi Arabia as a result of the 9/11 report from the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States “identifies Saudi Arabia as the first supply of al-Qaeda funding.” Additionally, 15 of the 19 hijackers have been Saudi residents.

In a statement forward of final weekend’s LIV golf occasion at Donald Trump’s Bedminster, NJ course, 9/11 Households United accused these related to the tour “of ‘sportswashing’ the Kingdom’s status by enjoying in one other match on U.S. soil.” The additionally famous that “Sadly, this new match takes place 50 miles from Floor Zero.”

Norman argued that dozens of PGA Tour sponsors do $40 billion value of enterprise with Saudi Arabia every year. He additionally mentioned that “The LPGA Tour is sponsored by [Saudi Oil giant] ARAMCO…The most important sponsor of ladies’s golf on the earth is ARAMCO,” possible referring to the corporate’s sponsorship of the ARAMCO Staff Sequence, which is sanctioned by the Girls Professional Tour, the web page of which says it’s “a three way partnership collaboration between Girls European Tour and the Girls Skilled Golf Affiliation…to extend enjoying alternatives for feminine golfers in Europe.”