The Evangelical Head of Household Summit in Des Moines on Friday was billed as a pivotal event for Christian conservatives, drawing six Republican presidential hopefuls to defend their platforms and run in the nation’s first caucus state.
But throughout the day, it was the moderator — former Fox News host Tucker Carlson — who led those discussions, frequently refocusing the conversation on his priorities and confronting several Republican hopefuls on tense issues.
His comments and questions sometimes drew more applause from the crowd than from the candidates themselves.
Here are three moments that marked the day.
More: GOP presidential hopefuls navigate cheers and jeers at Family Leadership Summit
In a tense interview with Asa Hutchinson, Tucker Carlson asks “how many COVID shots did you take?”
The former Arkansas governor was often on the defensive throughout his interview with Carlson, as the host asked him about his record and stance on gender-affirming care restrictions and his leadership of the State during the pandemic.
Carlson asked if Hutchinson had been vaccinated against the virus.
“How many COVID vaccines have you taken and what do you think now?” Carlson asked Hutchinson.
“How many did you take?” Huchinson replied
“Zero,” Carlson replied to cheers. “But I think that’s fair, and I can see you cringing when I asked you that question. And I honestly don’t think you should ask people about their medical care, but it’s become part of public policy.”
Crowd boos Mike Pence after he says US should support war in Ukraine
In a lengthy exchange with Carlson, Pence ardently defended his position that the United States has an interest in providing resources to Ukraine.
He noted his two trips to the country, after meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and religious leaders, and being rebuffed by Carlson and members of the crowd.
“I believe it is in the interest of the United States of America to continue to give the Ukrainians the military resources they need to repel a Russian invasion and restore their sovereignty,” Pence said, drawing boos from the crowd.
Tucker Carlson: “Ethanol destroyed my chainsaw”
An offhand first comment from Carlson about one of Iowa’s key industries sparked laughter in the crowd and a quick transition to the event organizer’s main topic.
“Ethanol destroyed my chainsaw, by the way,” Carlson said after speaking of his appreciation for Iowa, noting that he’s had to replace the carburetor “every year” for the past few years.
“We have to move on!” replied Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader, as some in the crowd laughed.
Galen Bacharier covers politics and the Trump campaign in Iowa for The Register. Contact him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Tucker Carlson became news from the Family Leadership Summit