California Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat, shared a threatening voicemail he received from a fan of Fox News personality Tucker Carlson.
The voicemail, which Swalwell posted using his official Twitter account, features racist, homophobic and sexist expletives directed at the lawmaker for his role in condemning the actions of insurrectionists who stormed the United States Capitol on January 6.
At one point, the caller goes so far as to threaten Swalwell's family by saying he "ought to chop you and your family up and feed them to your dog."
Swalwell's response appeared measured and did not register any surprise. He suggested Carlson bears responsibility for the call.
Carlson has regularly pushed the "Big Lie" the 2020 election was fraudulent on his program and openly attacked Democrats who've condemned former President Donald Trump for inciting the insurrection.
WARNING: NSFW language and slurs
Swalwell wrote:
"Listen to this. It's the Tucker Carlson effect. Tucker attacks me."
"His fans respond with threats to kill my family. And Tucker knows exactly what he's doing."
The voicemail has been widely shared.
Many have come to Swalwell's defense and have condemned Carlson and his program outright.
Carlson has attacked Swalwell more than once, including during a particularly controversial segment in which he suggested Swalwell's campaign has financial problems.
During the segment, Carlson said more that $20,000 worth of Swalwell's campaign expenditures went to the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay, California, where, he noted, Swalwell's wife, Brittany Ann Watts, works as a sales director.
During that same segment, Carlson also brought up Swalwell's connection to Christine Fang, a Chinese spy who had since at least 2012 been cultivating contacts with California politicians who the Chinese government believed had promising futures in politics.
Fang had gotten close with Swalwell, at one point placing an intern inside his office. However, Swalwell cut ties with Fang in 2015 after U.S. intelligence briefed him and other members of Congress about concerns the Chinese were attempting to spy on the United States government.
Swalwell was never accused of wrongdoing and officials determined Fang did not obtain classified information from her contacts.
However, Carlson has alleged Swalwell had a sexual relationship with Fang, a claim that was never alleged in reports about the scandal and never been corroborated by any sources.
