Editor's Note: This story was updated on July 2, 2021 to reflect that USAA has not advertised on Tucker Carlson Tonight since 2019, according to an analysis by TV Rev.
USAA has come under heavy criticism for airing advertisements on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show in recent days after the conservative commentator’sdisparaging remarkstoward chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, with some members threatening on social media to take their business elsewhere.
USAA, a banking institution for members of the U.S. military and their families, is being pushed to remove their ads from Carlson’s show, Tucker Carlson Nightly, after he said Milley was “not just a pig, he’s stupid” on Thursday. The comments were made after Milley told lawmakers he wanted to understand “white rage” and that he believed members of the military should be well read on a variety of issues, including critical race theory.
Critical race theory is a legal academic framework taught in higher education — typically in law school — to study systemic racism and its impact on society, according to an NPR segment of Fresh Air published on Thursday.
Following Carlson’s comments, many longtime USAA banking members have demanded that the bank pull its ads from Carlson’s show, including retired colonels and generals.
Moe Davis, a retired Air Force Colonel and USAA member for 38 years, said he would completely sever ties with the company if they continued “supporting sedition and the trashing of the military.”
I’ve been a @USAA member for 38 years. I’ve already moved our mutual funds and brokerage accounts. I guess I need to move our insurance and banking and completely severe our ties if they’re supporting sedition and the trashing of the military by assholes who didn’t serve.
— Moe Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) June 26, 2021
Joseph Collins is a retired Army Colonel who says he has been a USAA member for more than 50 years and said USAA would lose customers if they continued to support people like Carlson.
Responsible criticism of the armed forces is welcome, but vile commentary is not. USAA, don't support irresponsible attacks on the Armed Forces. Stop supporting this right wing radical or your members will pull the plug on you.
— Joseph J Collins (@josephcollins77) June 26, 2021
Veterans for Responsible Leadership, a non-partisan veteran group with a self-described mission to “keep fascism and authoritarianism from rising again” that has been critical of former President Donald Trump, has also called on USAA to pull their ads and has highlighted USAA members who are demanding a change.
USAA did not respond to TPR's request for comment. According to TV Rev, USAA has not advertised on Tucker Carlson tonight since 2019. It's unclear why USAA hasremained silent on the issue as the TV Rev analysis came to light. USAA continues to advertise on other Fox News programs.
TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. If you value our commitment to the highest standards of responsible journalism and are able to do so, please consider making your gift of support today.
