Fox Host Tucker Carlson decided to test the old theory that truth is indeed stranger than fiction on Friday’s edition of his nightly show, going after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by having a self-proclaimed chicken kissing guest who proudly proclaimed her love for fowl as she held a live bird in her arms.

During a discussion of the CDC’s advice on limiting salmonella outbreaks in poultry, HuffPost reports, Carlson introduced Tiara Soleim, a former contestant on the “Bachelor” who also proudly calls herself a “chicken enthusiast.”

Carlson read the warning from the CDC:

“Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.

“Now that raises the question, who are these chicken touchers out there that the CDC is concerned about? We’re not judging as we ask that. Are there people in this country that snuggle chickens?”

The Fox host then introduced Ms. Soliem, asking her:

“It feels like you’ve been singled out by the CDC for criticism. How does that feel?”

Soleim replied:

“I’m not a huge fan of it because I’ve been handling chickens since I was about 4 years old. And I’ve been kissing them, snuggling them, shoving my face in them and I’m fine. People around me are fine. And I don’t see a problem with it.”

She then declared that the CDC seems to be “just looking for something else to control.”

After Soliem noted that her 30 chickens have “amazing personalities,” Carlson queried:

“I gotta ask since you’re an enthusiast and an expert. Someone once told me chickens are so dumb, if you face them in a corner they can’t get out. Is that true?”

The chicken kisser responded:

“Whoever made that up has something against birds and it’s not true at all. They know exactly what to do. Sometimes they get stuck in corners but for the most part, they can figure it out.”

If Carlson and those who watch his show choose not to heed the advice of the CDC, that’s on them. The larger question is how Fox has become little more than the National Enquirer of the airwaves. They pump out lies, conspiracy theories, and invite chicken lovers on their primetime programming.

You simply cannot make this stuff up.

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