“It was really big news and everyone was looking at each other on television: what’s going on here?” says US correspondent Jan Postma. We now know that it was commissioned by the big boss of Fox, Rupert Murdoch. The LA Times also writes that it really came as a surprise to Carlson and his team. They were still preparing the broadcast and they really didn’t expect it at all.’ The departure was so sudden that Carlson said on Friday, “see you on Monday.”
cesspool
According to Postma, Murdoch was very concerned about a potentially nasty lawsuit hanging over his head after the voting machine maker accused his channel of defamation and the judge agreed. Apparently Murdoch wants to prevent the cesspit from opening. “A former Carlson producer is suing Fox over misogynistic workplace atmosphere and also alleges anti-Semitism.”
But what also plays a role is Carlson’s rather colorful coverage of the storming of the Capitol and the lies the channel has deliberately kept pumping about allegedly stolen elections due to high ratings. A story that at least Murdoch himself knew about.
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According to Postma, Fox’s top brass fears more incriminating emails will come out of Murdoch and that issues like workplace misogyny and anti-Semitism will be front and center when it comes to a lawsuit. “That was also one of the reasons Fox ultimately decided not to proceed with that lawsuit and settle.”
“Remains to be seen for Trump whether he will come back to get it on prime time on Fox News”
Trump’s wheelbarrow
One problem, however, is that Carlson is idolized by the Trump camp, and many Fox viewers may be turning away from the medium. “He really is by far the most popular host on American TV and now he’s gone without warning. They are really angry about this. The trend among those Trump Republicans is: Fox will regret it, because now we have no more reason to watch Fox News.’
It is not yet clear what the consequences of Carlson’s firing are. Fox will likely lose a lot of viewers and alternative channels will get more streams. It also has consequences for the upcoming elections. After all, Fox was the Trump campaign spokesman. “Before the next election, that will have a tailspin when Fox News and Tucker Carlson in particular can no longer be used as a wheelbarrow.” That campaign — and whether Carlson can make or break candidates — matters in the Republican primary.
According to Postma, Carlson was even Trump’s screaming horn: “He’s always been behind Trump, even through tough times and this one has now fallen for Trump.” And it remains to be seen for Trump that he will return to primetime Fox News for it.
“Now we hear this was commissioned by the big boss of Fox”