In 2004, then-Lieutenant Colonel Tammy Duckworth was piloting a Black Hawk helicopter over Iraq when insurgents targeted her aircraft, shooting it down, resulting in the loss of both of her legs.
Twelve years later—in 2016—Duckworth would be elected to represent the state of Illinois as a Democrat in the Senate.
Duckworth faced criticism last week after an interview with CNN's Dana Bash in which Duckworth said there should be a "national dialogue" about the glorification of founding fathers like George Washington who owned slaves.
Duckworth simply said that the existence of statues of these men should be publicly discussed at a national level, but many conservatives—like far-Right Fox News host Tucker Carlson—saw those words as reason enough to criticize her.
After claiming that "You're not supposed to criticize Tammy Duckworth in any way because she once served in the military," Carlson went on a diatribe against her that many thought hit below the belt.
Watch below.
Tucker Carlson says Sen. Duckworth, a leading VP candidate who lost her legs in Iraq, hates the U.S. https://t.co/LpljuMCJLm— Steve Beynon (@Steve Beynon) 1594121454.0
Carlson said:
"Most people just ignore her. But when Duckworth does speak in public, you're reminded what a deeply silly and unimpressive person she is...It's long been considered out of bounds to question a person's patriotism. It's a very strong charge and we try not ever to make it. But in the face of all of this, the conclusion can't be avoided: these people actually hate America. There's no longer a question about that."
Duckworth didn't care for Carlson's claims that she hates the United States, and it wasn't long before she clapped back on Twitter.
Does @TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America?— Tammy Duckworth (@Tammy Duckworth) 1594085410.0
Duckworth challenged Carlson to walk a mile in her prosthetic legs, which she uses intermittently with a wheelchair, before he questioned her patriotism.
People sided with Duckworth's courage over Carlson's cruelty.
@SenDuckworth @TuckerCarlson @SenDuckworth sacrificed limbs and nearly her life for her country. @TuckerCarlson is… https://t.co/3av84STt2G— Mr Basil (@Mr Basil) 1594088332.0
One of the things that always will stick with me is when I talked with Senator Duckworth about when she chooses to… https://t.co/bx85gH2XvS— Eric Michael Garcia (@Eric Michael Garcia) 1594089305.0
@SenDuckworth @TuckerCarlson Love and respect for you @SenDuckworth Thank you for your love and sacrifices for ou… https://t.co/WAQTjMzbCi— Theresa Mains, Esq. Cannabis & Tax Attorney (@Theresa Mains, Esq. Cannabis & Tax Attorney) 1594132202.0
Tammy Duckworth fought for America and lost her legs. Tucker Carlson fought for white supremacy and lost his sponsors.— Bleeding Heart Liberal Marine (@Bleeding Heart Liberal Marine) 1594129544.0
On the one hand we have a woman who lost both her legs in combat as helicopter pilot and then CONTINUED to serve in… https://t.co/M84U3eEA2H— Simon Schama (@Simon Schama) 1594135799.0
Twitter users immediately began roasting Tucker Carlson.
To hell with Tucker Carlson, really and truly— Guy Wilson (@Guy Wilson) 1594136040.0
Scum sucking treason weasel Tucker Carlson (who never served) spits on decorated veteran and US Senator for his own… https://t.co/R6LMQihzAP— #RandomWhiteGuy (@#RandomWhiteGuy) 1594135544.0
@justinbaragona @TuckerCarlson is an ugly unAmerican moron who must really hate his country to say this about Forme… https://t.co/RUPZxBmmnI— Jamie Schler (@Jamie Schler) 1594117029.0
@justinbaragona Even if you didn't know a single word of English, you would wonder why Tucker is talking the way a… https://t.co/y6gUtHxhqI— JRehling (@JRehling) 1594093564.0
@justinbaragona Funny, because when I think of a "deeply silly and unimpressive person", Tucker Carlson is the firs… https://t.co/irD8iZqA2h— Jeremy (@Jeremy) 1594091207.0
Duckworth is currently a serious contender for Democratic nominee Joe Biden's vice presidential pick. Carlson—who called her "deeply unimpressive"—gets 40 percent of his ad revenue from the MyPillow company.