Ting Shen/Pool via AP
- Rep. Adam Kinzinger blasted Tucker Carlson for calling out Pete Buttigieg over his parental leave.
- "Talking about Pete Buttigieg learning how to breastfeed – like, c'mon man," he told Rolling Stone.
- Kinzinger went on to say that Carlson "abuses" his viewers for his "own personal profit."
GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois in a recent interview called Fox News host Tucker Carlson a "manipulative son of a bitch" for his criticism of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who took paternity leave after the birth of his twins earlier this year.
The secretary has faced a torrent of criticism from some conservatives who say that he hasn't been attentive enough to the ongoing supply-chain issues that have plagued the United States throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kinzinger, while speaking with Rolling Stone, refuted accusations that Buttigieg wasn't fulfilling the duties of his position.
"I highly doubt that the secretary was totally disconnected from work. Although he probably could have been and should have been. But he has deputies, I'm sure he was in touch. And [Fox News host] Tucker Carlson took nothing but a cheap shot at him because it was a temporary hit of Pixy Stix or a shot of heroin, it makes people feel great, they stay on. The rage works. And he created rage," he told the magazine.
"Talking about Pete Buttigieg learning how to breastfeed – like, c'mon man. You're obviously ignorant. Which I don't think. I think Tucker's really smart. You're a manipulative son of a bitch who abuses your viewers for your own personal profit," he added.
Last month, Carlson's comments mocking Buttigieg set off a firestorm, with the conservative host openly disparaging the secretary's time away from the office.
"Pete Buttigieg has been on leave from his job since August after adopting a child. Paternity leave, they call it, trying to figure out how to breastfeed. No word on how that went," Carlson said on his show.
During an October appearance on MSNBC's Deadline White House, Buttigieg spoke of the benefits of family leave and having the ability to spend time with the newest members of his family.
And the secretary also had a retort for Carlson.
"I guess he just doesn't understand the concept of bottle feeding, let alone the concept of paternity leave," he said.
In the interview, Buttigieg said that he didn't think that Carlson's comments were reflective of conservative thinking on the issue.
"This is largely a consensus issue … moms and dads ought to be able to support their children including with paid family leave," the secretary said.