Martina Navratilova slams political commentator Tucker Carlson for defending ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad amid discovery of mass graves

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has voiced her dismay over political commentator Tucker Carlson's defense of Syria’s ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Navratilova's reaction came after a mass grave containing over 100,000 victims of Assad’s brutal regime was unearthed near Damascus.

Bashar al-Assad's fall from power marked the end of his family's nearly six-decade-long autocratic rule in Syria. His presidency began in 2000 and descended into infamy during the 13-year civil war sparked by civilian protests in 2011.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates over 500,000 lives were lost in the conflict, including at least 164,000 civilians, while millions were displaced. Assad’s government was accused of heinous war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

In December 2024, Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus after a swift advance, forcing Assad to flee to Russia. The discovery of the mass grave near Damascus---filled with victims of Assad's regime---has only underscored the horrors of his dictatorship.

In a recent interview with far-left economist Jeffrey Sachs on 'The Tucker Carlson Show,' Carlson questioned why Americans should hate Assad, citing his protection of Christians as a reason for his neutrality.

"I’m speaking for myself. I don’t have strong feelings about Assad one way or the other," Carlson said. "Apparently he’s protected the Christians, so I’m grateful for that as a Christian. But, I don’t—why am I required to hate Assad? Tulsi Gabbard went and met with Assad. She’s been attacked ever since. Has anyone ever explained why Americans should hate Assad?"

Carlson's comments have sparked significant backlash, with many criticizing his apparent disregard for Assad's well-documented atrocities. Navratilova, known for her outspoken political views, took to X (formerly Twitter) on December 18, 2024, to express her disbelief at Carlson's stance, referencing the mass grave discovery and questioning his moral compass.

"Yet Tucker Carlson is asking why he should hate Assad?????" Navratilova wrote.

---

"Dictators end up dead in a ditch" - Martina Navratilova shares thoughts on Syrian ex-President Bashar al-Assad's exile

Martina Navratilova during the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards press conference (Image source: Getty)

Martina Navratilova expressed her views on former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, calling him a "dictator."

Following the capture of Damascus by Islamist-led rebels on December 8, Assad and his family fled to Moscow, where they were granted asylum "for humanitarian reasons."

In response to a post by Gregg Carlstrom, The Economist's Middle East correspondent, who jokingly referred to Russia as accepting its "first Syrian refugee," the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion shared her comment:

"It never ends well for dictators - they end up dead in a ditch somewhere, executed by the mob or on the run forever."

Martina Navratilova, a long-time critic of the Republican Party, likened newly elected President Donald Trump to Syrian ex-President Bashar al-Assad, describing him as a "wannabe dictator."