Fox News paid almost $800 million for reports on the allegedly falsified US election in 2020 – and shortly thereafter fired its star presenter Carlson. His departure could have consequences for Republicans.
Tucker Carlson, a phenomenon in the US media landscape. He is regarded as an ultra-conservative agitator, quota guarantor and star moderator. Two days after his sacking from the right-wing Fox News television station, the 53-year-old spoke up personally: in a Twitter video, with bitter – and quite diffuse – allegations against the media, but without naming Fox News.
“When honest people tell the truth, calmly and without embarrassment, they become stronger. At the same time, liars who try to put others down become weaker,” Carlson said. “That is the iron law of the universe. Truth prevails.”
Exactly what he means by that is unclear. The fact is that for years he made anti-Semitic, racist and homophobic statements on his daily evening show and spread conspiracy stories and false reports. In 2021, Carlson speaks of the brazen election interference ever attempted in the United States.
slander and misogyny
The right-wing ratings king was fired shortly after his broadcaster agreed a settlement of more than 787 million dollars with the voting computer manufacturer Dominion in order to avoid a defamation lawsuit. Carlson played a large part in this slander. After the last election, he repeatedly questioned the security of the voting machines.
Not only the three-digit million payment could have led to his sacking, according to the “Los Angeles Times” it was allegedly Fox owner Rupert Murdoch and his son personally who fired Carlson. His sexist text messages, which have now become public, were also responsible. In it he badmouthed female superiors and colleagues.
“Women were objectified. It was a game, it was a sport. He made fun of female politicians who were guests on his show,” said Abby Grossberg, a former Fox News producer at CNN. “They discussed who they would rather sleep with. And the C word over and over again.” The C word is a very vulgar swear word against women.
Big loss for Republicans
For Fox News, Carlson’s departure is a loss, at least financially. Tonight’s ratings plummeted and Fox stock fell four percent. The loss for the Republican party is likely to be even worse.
“What we’re seeing right now is the split in the Republican Party. Fox has a lot of influence over where it’s going to go,” media analyst Brian Stelter told PBS. “Are the Murdochs staying on the radical Tucker-Carlson course? Or are they returning Fox to a more realistic, news-based course?”
And what is the star moderator doing now? There are rumors that he received offers from Russia. It’s more likely that Carlson will either join the competition or open his own news channel. In any case, it is certain that he will not stop spreading his radical convictions.