Top 6 moments from Mike Huckabee's tense interview with Tucker Carlson: 'Frankly confusing'

By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Monday, February 23, 2026

4. Carlson apologizes for implying Epstein-Herzog connection: 'Nothing worse'

Carlson issued an apology Saturday afternoon after citing a 2014 email released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that he said suggested Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited the private island of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

After Carlson mentioned the email during his interview with Huckabee, Herzog's office reportedly denied the accusation in a lengthy letter to Carlson, claiming he had no relationship or contact with Epstein whatsoever.

Statement on Israeli President Isaac Herzog pic.twitter.com/z2hIAO9ptY

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) February 21, 2026

"I've gotten a lot of letters like this over the years from people alleging you've got it wrong, but rarely do you get a denial this unequivocal," Carlson said. "And so, for that reason, we are taking it seriously. There's nothing worse than impugning the reputation of an innocent man."

"And so, I just to say clearly: I'm sorry to imply that I knew something I didn't know. Of course, I don't know that Isaac Herzog was on the island. I was referring to that email and protest against him, but I don't know that, and I didn't mean to suggest that I do know that."

Carlson subsequently deleted the original interview before posting a version editing out his allegations against Herzog, which prompted Huckabee to claim he was "caught in an outrageous libel [and] outright lie against [Herzog]."

During his conversation with Huckabee, Carlson raised concerns about Epstein's alleged ties to the Mossad and other intelligence agencies, including the CIA. He noted former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak was a frequent visitor to Epstein's mansion in Manhattan.

Huckabee told Carlson he has "no idea" why millions of Epstein files remain classified by the U.S. Department of Justice, and that he "hasn't kept up with that."

Huckabee said he has no objection to releasing the entirety of the Epstein files, which he said he has not read, but that such an action is not something under his authority. He encouraged Carlson to raise the issue with President Donald Trump and other White House officials, given his personal access.