In a stunning display of gullibility, Tucker Carlson, the controversial former Fox News anchor, has fallen victim to an elaborate prank orchestrated by British YouTubers Josh & Archie. The duo successfully duped Carlson into interviewing a fake whistleblower claiming to have insider knowledge about the infamous edited photo of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. The incident has left Carlson red-faced and raised questions about the journalistic integrity of his new venture, the Tucker Carlson Network, which streams on Twitter (now known as X). The prank revolved around the Mother's Day image of Kate Middleton, which had been poorly doctored and subsequently caught the attention of the public. Archie Manners, one half of the YouTube duo, posed as a former digital content creator for the Prince and Princess of Wales, claiming to have been fired for his shoddy editing work on the photo. To lend credibility to their ruse, Manners and his co-conspirator, Josh Pieters, went to great lengths to forge Kensington Palace employment documents, which they presented to Carlson's team as proof of Manners' supposed former position. Shockingly, Carlson's staff failed to spot the absurdity of the faked documents, which included a clause stating that the palace had the right to amputate one of Manners' limbs should he fail his probation period. This outrageous detail should have immediately raised red flags, but instead, Carlson's team accepted the story at face value and arranged for Manners to be interviewed by Carlson via a hotline from a London studio. The YouTubers' video captures the moment when Carlson introduces his guest, stating, "We've done our best to verify that your identity is what you say it is. You're not a fake [Alexei] Navalny or doing a prank." The irony of this statement is not lost on viewers, as Carlson himself has fallen victim to the very prank he sought to avoid. Manners, fully in character, proceeded to spin a tale about the editing job being "almost too big to do" and claimed that the photo had originally featured a Christmas tree in the background, which he had to remove. Carlson, seemingly enthralled by the fabricated story, can be heard saying, "It is an amazing story." After the interview, he even complimented Manners, telling him, "That was great." Carlson's staff later informed Manners that they planned to stream the exchange "early next week," further highlighting their complete lack of due diligence in verifying the authenticity of the claims. However, Manners and Pieters had a change of heart and decided to blow their cover before the interview could be aired to Carlson's 12.6 million followers on X. In an interview with Deadline, Manners explained their decision, stating, "We didn't want to cause any more rumors, that are not true, to go out to lots and lots of people. We just didn't want to be too worthy about that in our video." The YouTubers recognized the potential harm that spreading disinformation could cause and chose to prioritize truth over the potential views and attention their prank could have garnered. Manners also revealed that he had deliberately "stroked" Carlson's ego during the interview, claiming that he had chosen to give the former Fox News anchor the exclusive because "mainstream media in the UK wouldn't touch it." This tactic played into Carlson's well-known disdain for mainstream media and likely contributed to his willingness to believe the fabricated story. The incident has not only exposed Carlson's gullibility but also raised serious concerns about the journalistic standards of his new venture, the Tucker Carlson Network. As a prominent figure with a massive following, Carlson has a responsibility to ensure that the information he presents to his audience is accurate and thoroughly vetted. Falling for such an obvious prank undermines his credibility and calls into question the reliability of the content he produces. Moreover, the ease with which Josh & Archie were able to deceive Carlson and his team highlights the importance of media literacy and critical thinking skills in an age where disinformation and fake news run rampant. The public must remain vigilant and skeptical of sensationalist claims, even when they come from seemingly reputable sources. This is not the first time that Josh & Archie have pulled off a high-profile prank. The duo, who boast nearly 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube, have previously tricked Carole Baskin, of "Tiger King" fame, into an interview and even presented free-speech firebrand Katie Hopkins with a fake award. While their pranks often serve to entertain their audience, they also shine a light on the gullibility of public figures and the need for more rigorous fact-checking in the media.
In the wake of this embarrassing incident, Tucker Carlson and his team will undoubtedly face scrutiny and criticism from both supporters and detractors alike. The prank serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of journalistic integrity and the need for media personalities to prioritize accuracy and credibility over sensationalism and ego-stroking. As the media landscape continues to evolve, with the rise of alternative platforms like X and the proliferation of citizen journalism, it is more crucial than ever for those in positions of influence to uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics. The public deserves to be informed by reliable, well-researched, and thoroughly vetted information, not by pranksters and charlatans seeking to exploit the gullibility of those in power. In conclusion, the Tucker Carlson-Kate Middleton whistleblower prank orchestrated by Josh & Archie serves as a cautionary tale for both media personalities and consumers alike. It highlights the need for increased vigilance in the face of disinformation and the importance of holding those in positions of influence accountable for the content they produce and disseminate. As we navigate an increasingly complex and often deceptive media landscape, it is essential that we all take responsibility for promoting truth, accuracy, and integrity in the pursuit of an informed and enlightened society. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.