Fox News host Tucker Carlson makes a living off controversy, but a comment he made on his show Monday night actually prompted him to issue a rare “clarification.” It came after Carlson enthusiastically said he was rooting for Russia.

Republican pollster Frank Luntz writes:

It’s comments like this from @TuckerCarlson that make me wonder who my friends are and who my enemies are – it makes me wonder whether the world has gone insane. I know who I support; Ukraine is an imperfect ally but Russia is a perfect enemy.

The Daily Beast points out that “after his comments had already made waves on social media, Carlson insisted that this was all just a joke:”

Fellow Fox News star Sean Hannity, meanwhile, also helped Carlson sell his claim that he was merely joking with his Russia comment. During the handoff between their shows, Hannity quipped that “Tucker’s a communist,” prompting Carlson to smack his desk and break out into a giggling fit.

“I rooted against Russia when it mattered by the way! Russia!!!” Carlson cackled.