In a recent turn of events, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is embroiled in a media dispute with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The dispute revolves around an alleged lawsuit by Johnson for bitcoin or a million dollar interview fee, a claim vehemently denied by the Prime Minister's team. Carlson, known for his influence in right-wing American media, accused Johnson of soliciting payment for a discussion about Ukraine.
Carlson's accusation and Johnson's response
Tucker Carlson, in a recent interview with Blaze TV, stated that Johnson's team informed him about the possibility of the interview but put a high price on it. According to Carlson, the Prime Minister demanded one million US dollars, gold or bitcoin.
Speaking to Blaze TV, a right-wing news channel, Carlson said:
“Finally, one of his advisors contacts me and says, 'He'll talk to you, but it'll cost you a million dollars.'”
Screenshot of Tucker Carlson interview on BlazeTV.
JUST IN: Tucker Carlson says former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked for $1 million in US dollars, gold or bitcoin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>#bitcoin for an interview. pic.twitter.com/HY1USCudKJ
– bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) February 20, 2024
The Telegraph quoted Carlson as saying:
“He wants a million dollars, in US dollars, gold or bitcoins; This happened yesterday or two days ago. Then he will talk to them about Ukraine, he will explain his position on Ukraine.”
Johnson's team quickly dismissed these allegations, stating that it was Carlson who made the offer and that Johnson had initially accepted, on the condition that the funds go directly to Ukrainian veterans charities. The interview, however, never took place, with Johnson citing the tragic death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as the reason.
bitcoin: the cryptocurrency's unlikely role in the media drama
In an unexpected twist, cryptocurrency has found its way into this media drama. Carlson, in detailing the alleged interview offer, specified that Johnson had expressed his preference for $1 million in btc.
BTCUSD trading at $51,770 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView.com
The reasons behind this preference are still unclear, but the mention of bitcoin it adds an intriguing layer to the unfolding story. Johnson's team has not commented on this specific detail, leaving room for speculation about the role and importance of crypto in the proposed interview.
The leading digital asset that has seen notable price growth over the past decade has become a topic of interest in financial circles around the world. Aware of bitcoin's excellent performance, Johnson is said to believe in its continued success.
This belief is rooted in bitcoin's history of substantially increasing value, from just $0.003 in 2010 to approximately $69,000 in 2021. The recent approval of 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds by the Exchange Commission and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) further solidifies the reputation of the crypto asset. status as a top-tier asset.
The intersection of politics and cryptocurrencies
The convergence of politics and cryptocurrencies in this narrative adds a layer of complexity to the already controversial exchange between Johnson and Carlson. The use of bitcoin as a proposed payment method raises questions about the growing influence and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in mainstream transactions.
As political discourse becomes intertwined with the financial landscape, the story underscores the changing nature of media, politics, and the role of emerging technologies like bitcoin in shaping these dynamics.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
