Why did Fox News fire Tucker Carlson?
The news that Fox News was ousting its biggest star, Tucker Carlson, sent shock waves through political and media circles Monday.
Even in a network mired in scandals and facing lawsuits, Carlson’s ouster has brought much speculation but few official comments.
Here is what we know from Times reporting on Monday.
Why did Fox fire Carlson?
Carlson has not commented. Fox issued only a brief statement: “Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.”
Tucker Carlson, a fixture on conservative cable channel Fox News, exited the network on April 24.
But sources told The Times that Carlson’s exit is related to a discrimination lawsuit filed by Abby Grossberg, the producer who was fired by the network last month. Carlson’s senior executive producer, Justin Wells, has also been terminated, according to insiders.
Grossberg was moved off “Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo” and onto “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” where, she alleged, she was bullied and subjected to antisemitic comments, according to the lawsuit in New York.
In deposition testimony, the former Fox News producer said she was also coerced by company lawyers into giving misleading answers in the Dominion defamation case against the network. Fox News denied the claim and said she was terminated for disclosing privileged company information.
Tucker Carlson’s last program was Friday, Fox News said. His ouster is probably related to a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former producer.
In a statement, attorneys for Grossberg suggested that her suit was a key factor in Carlson’s exit.
Who made the call?
Sources said the decision came straight from Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, with input from board members and other Fox executives.
What about last week’s legal settlement?
Carlson’s ouster came days after the $787.5-million settlement Fox News agreed to pay to Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion accused Fox of knowingly making false claims related to the 2020 election.
A representative for Dominion said Carlson’s exit was not part of the settlement.
The 79-page lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, raises questions about whether Fox News has sufficiently modernized its workplace culture since co-founder Roger Ailes was forced out in 2016.
However, some of the comments Carlson had made about Fox News management in communications that turned up in the discovery process for the case may have played a role in his demise.
What’s next?
Fox must contend with a second defamation suit filed by a rival voting machine company, Smartmatic USA, which has demanded $2.7 billion.
Fox investors also are lining up with lawsuits, alleging that Murdoch and board members were derelict in their duties by allowing Fox News to promote election lies, which harmed the network’s reputation as a news organization.
Then there is the question of who will replace Carlson in prime time and how Fox News viewers will react to Tucker’s ouster.
From reporting from Stephen Battaglio and Meg James.
More on Tucker Carlson from The Times
Tucker Carlson departs Fox News, pushed out by Rupert Murdoch
Column: Finally, accountability for Tucker Carlson. But it’s only a start
Don Lemon and Tucker Carlson fired at the same time? Twitter is having a field day
Tucker Carlson producer’s discrimination claims go beyond Dominion scandal
McCarthy gives Tucker Carlson access to thousands of hours of Jan. 6 surveillance footage
Kanye West tells Tucker Carlson that his Trump support ‘threatened’ his life and career
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