Tucker & Fox News: They’re Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together
The sudden split between Tucker Carlson and Fox News in April was far from amicable. Since Tucker’s departure, various sources from the Murdoch-led network have shared less than flattering aspects of Carlson's untelevised racism. Moreover, the legal wrangling surrounding Carlson's latest endeavor implies that the animosity between him and Fox will persist for some time.
On the 6th of June, Carlson launched his new program, Tucker on Twitter, by posting a 10-minute clip directly on the social media platform. This format is intended for the entire series. The show resembled typical Carlson content - a prime-time monologue challenging mainstream Republicans' backing of Ukraine and its "rodent-like", "expressionless" leader. The aesthetics of his Maine studio had more wooden paneling compared to his Fox News workspace, and much less makeup.
The following day, it was reported that Fox News sent a letter to Carlson's legal team accusing him of breaching his contract by uploading the video, as Carlson's agreement with Fox News is set to end in January 2025. The network plans to prevent him from becoming a competitor by compensating him for the remaining sum due under the contract. A version of the letter obtained by Axios states, "Fox expressly reserves all rights and remedies which are available to it at law or equity."
It seems that Carlson plans to circumvent this issue by posting directly to Twitter. Despite receiving the letter, he seemed unbothered, releasing another episode of Tucker on Twitter the next day. This time, he claimed pedophilia is becoming normalized in the United States. Standard Carlson stuff.
On the following Monday, Fox News intensified its legal stance by sending a cease-and-desist letter to Carlson, as reported by Axios. Responding to Axios, Carlson's lawyer stood firm. Harmeet Dhillon stated, "Tucker will not be silenced by anyone. He is a uniquely significant voice on matters of public interest in our country and will continue to be."
Unlike with other hosts Fox has terminated, it has not faced this challenge. Usually, they will allow them to cater to smaller audiences. However, Carlson is different; he has a massive following. According to Twitter's data, his show's first two episodes amassed over 168 million views (although this figure is subject to significant interpretation). Furthermore, Fox News is experiencing a decline in viewership in Carlson's previous 8 p.m. slot, with a 37% drop in May compared to the same period last year. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly commented on her radio show last week, "They understand that he will harm them, and they're making all efforts to sideline him."
Do you think Fox is taking it too far?