Hallow App Faces Backlash Over Controversial Lent Partnership

Tucker Carlson’s recent announcement of a partnership with the Catholic prayer app Hallow during Lent has sparked a significant backlash online. Released on February 18, 2024, the latest episode of “The Tucker Carlson Show” featured Carlson promoting Hallow’s seasonal “Pray40” challenge, which encourages users to pray daily throughout Lent. This year’s theme, “The Return,” focuses on the biblical parable of the prodigal son, emphasizing repentance and forgiveness.

During the sponsorship segment, Carlson remarked, “It is the best prayer app ever,” urging viewers to take advantage of a three-month free offer at Hallow.com/Tucker. This endorsement has led to polarized reactions on social media platform X. Many Christian users expressed their intent to discontinue using Hallow due to its connection with Carlson, while others showed support for the collaboration. Calls for boycotts of the app and its sponsors emerged, with one user stating, “Absolutely zero business from me and my entire extended family while you partner with perpetual liars.”

While some criticized the partnership, vocal supporters encouraged Hallow to “stay strong.” Carlson noted that Hallow is one of the show’s sponsors for Lent, alongside Cowboy Colostrum and Black Rifle Coffee, the latter facing scrutiny due to a federal class-action lawsuit alleging misleading branding.

Since departing from Fox News in 2023, Carlson has transitioned to hosting “The Tucker Carlson Show” on X and YouTube, consistently drawing millions of viewers. The episode aired on the first day of Lent and included an hour-long interview with Fares Abraham, an evangelical pastor and Palestinian American. Abraham shared insights from his upbringing in Beit Sahour, a predominantly Christian town near Bethlehem, discussing the impact of Israeli occupation on local Christian communities.

Carlson framed this discussion as an attempt to highlight the experiences of Middle Eastern Christians, countering criticisms of antisemitism that have been leveled against him for his coverage of Israel and the Gaza conflict. He stated, “There is no reason for any conversation about American foreign policy to devolve into Jews versus everyone else,” emphasizing the importance of addressing the treatment of Christians in the region.

The backlash against Carlson’s partnership with Hallow intensified as viewers pointed out a claim he made during the show, reported by The Daily Mail, regarding an alleged detention by Israeli authorities at an airport. Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for Israel’s foreign ministry, refuted Carlson’s assertions, stating, “Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers.”

Comments on Carlson’s post announcing the Hallow sponsorship reflected surprise and criticism, particularly regarding what many perceived as misinformation about Israeli authorities. Following the controversy, Carlson released a three-hour interview with Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, titled “The Mike Huckabee Interview, and the Truth About America’s Deeply Unhealthy Relationship with Israel.” Critics noted that Huckabee’s comments during the interview, which suggested a biblical right for Israel over much of the Middle East, further fueled concerns about Carlson’s potential antisemitism.

Hallow, founded in 2018 by Alex Jones, Erich Kerekes, and Alessandro DiSanto, aims to provide guided prayer, meditation, Bible reading exercises, and programs focused on sleep and spiritual formation. Subscription costs stand at $10.99 per month. In 2023, over half of Hallow’s users were 35 or younger, indicating a younger demographic engaging with the app. The company has collaborated with various celebrities, including Mark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt, but faced criticism for its associations with conservative figures, particularly during Lent.

This partnership with Carlson has reignited concerns among some Catholics regarding Hallow’s shift from a primarily Catholic prayer app to a broader Christian platform. Hallow did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication. This is not the first instance of Hallow facing criticism over sponsorships; the company previously paused its partnership with Russell Brand last year following serious allegations against the actor.

As debates continue over the implications of this partnership, the intersection of faith, politics, and public perception remains a focal point for both Hallow and its user base.