Tucker Carlson questions algebra's value, sparking accusations of anti-Jewish conspiracy
Tucker Carlson entertained a guest who suggested algebra is a Jewish plot, prompting backlash and criticism of his anti-elitist rhetoric.
On his show, Tucker Carlson hosted Jess Elofson, a sculptor who argued that algebra is "fake math" and part of a Jewish scheme, questioning why letters replace numbers. The discussion referenced past regimes that suppressed education, drawing parallels to modern anti-elite sentiment. Social media users denounced the claim as ignorant and antisemitic, noting that algebra underpins modern engineering and technology.
Historians and math enthusiasts responded with a brief history of algebra's origins in ancient Babylon, Greece, India, and the Islamic world. Critics also pointed out Carlson's pattern of giving a platform to extremist viewpoints, while some online personalities mocked the segment as evidence Carlson should no longer be taken seriously.
Why it matters
The segment spreads misinformation about education and fuels antisemitic tropes, influencing public perception of math and minority groups.
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