Tucker Carlson, Tizku L’Mitzvos!

By COLlive Reporter

Tucker Carlson is racking up Mitzvos…

What began as an online rant quickly turned into a wave of support for Chabad Houses around the world.

On his show on Wednesday night, the far-right commentator aired a wild conspiracy theory that Chabad is behind the Iran War in an attempt to build the third Beis Hamikdash in Jerusalem.

His rant was then echoed by fellow antisemitic media commentator Candace Owens. She said Carlson is “talking the truth” about Chabad.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE — Tucker Carlson claims that a sect of Judaism called Chabad is ultimately behind the military strikes on Iran.

This might be Tucker’s most absurd claim to date.

And it’s yet another shot at Trump.

Why? Well, @jaredkushner & @IvankaTrump have belonged to Chabad in… pic.twitter.com/AnrslkJCtN

— Joel Mowbray (@joelmowbray) March 5, 2026

In response, activist Shabbos Kestenbaum responded in an unusual way: by encouraging people to donate to Chabad institutions.

“Calling all Chabad Houses,” Kestenbaum wrote on social media on Thursday morning. “I would like to make Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens angry. Please comment below your donation link so I and my followers can support you and your work.”

Within minutes, dozens of Chabad centers began posting links in response. Kestenbaum said he personally began donating to the first 10 Chabad Houses that commented. Among them were centers in New York, Florida, Arizona and Wisconsin.

“Between my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter I donated to the first 10 but unfortunately will have to tap out (at least until I get my next 7K AIPAC check),” he wrote humorously. “To my followers: please look at the comments and give generously to the Jewish People’s greatest organization: Chabad.”

Speaking to COLlive.com, Kestenbaum said his response was inspired by a teaching of the Rebbe.

“The Rebbe said you don’t fight hate with hate; you fight it with love,” he said. “So when I woke up this morning to see the news from Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, as any good aspiring chossid of the Rebbe would do, I tried to think how we can wage this war with love and kindness.”

Kestenbaum recalled a conversation he once had with an elder chossid at the Rebbe’s Library adjacent to Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights.

“He told me that I’m doing a Kiddush Hashem,” Kestenbaum said, referring to his activism, which has included publicly challenging Harvard University over its handling of anti-Jewish incidents following the October 7, 2023 attacks.

“An attack on Chabad is an attack on the whole Jewish people,” he added. “Chabad does more for the Jewish people than any other organization or denomination. They are just so incredible.”

Kestenbaum was not the only one reporting unexpected support.

One Shliach in Georgia shared that a Chabad House in Florida received a surprise donation following the controversy.

“A total stranger just walked into the Chabad House of a friend of mine in Florida and handed the Rabbi a check for $18,000 saying, ‘This is for Tucker.’ True story,” the Shliach wrote. “Now if we can only get some of those up our way.”

Another Shliach in Florida reported a similar experience.

“A random non-Jewish lady came by and gave a check of $500,” he wrote in a WhatsApp group. “Hashem has His ways.”

For many involved, the response reflects a familiar Chabad approach: answering negativity with acts of kindness and increased Jewish activity.

And as the donations continue to arrive, supporters are sending a clear message: Keep ’em coming.

VIDEO: Congressman Randy Fine expresses his support

I agree with @realdonaldtrump — Tucker Carlson is not MAGA.

First, he demanded all Jews take a DNA test to prove they are Jewish.

Then he said Muslim terrorists should be able to rape and kill Americans if they’re under 18 years old.

Now, Tucker has threatened a group of… pic.twitter.com/5k8D21DLzo

— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) March 5, 2026