During a discussion about President Trump, Iran and CNN’s coverage, Kelly played a clip in which Rep. Mike Lawler accused Carlson of promoting "anti-Semitic hate speech." Rather than respond only to the criticism, Carlson pivoted and said Tapper had once been a lobbyist for Hooters and even "traveled around America with the Hooters girls," a claim that left Kelly stunned and laughing on air.
Tapper has previously addressed his early PR work, saying he worked for the bipartisan firm Power Tate in his mid-20s. He told listeners he handled clients including Hooters during a legal dispute over hiring practices, and said he was 24 or 25 and working at the firm to pay the rent.