Topline
Fox News has reportedly sent a “cease-and-desist” letter to former news host Tucker Carlson over his new Twitter series, according to Axios, escalating an already heated fight following the controversial host’s abrupt and acrimonious departure from the network.
Fox News ousted host Tucker Carlson in April.
Key Facts
The letter insists that Carlson stop producing and publishing content for his “Tucker on Twitter” series, according to Axios.
The demand comes after Fox reportedly informed Carlson his efforts to publish content outside of its network violated his contract.
According to letters seen by Axios, Fox is still paying Carlson and his contract stipulates any content he produces will be exclusive to the network until the end of next year.
Carlson, who has not yet responded to the latest development, has previously claimed a First Amendment right to post on Twitter and alleged that Fox violated his contract.
Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer who represents Carlson, told Axios Fox was “doubling down on the most catastrophic programming decision in the history of the cable news industry,” adding that Carlson “will not be silenced by anyone.”
Fox did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
News Peg
Fox unceremoniously pulled Carlson from the air in late April. He was a magnet for viewers, ratings star and highly influential in conservative circles—he also courted conspiracy theories, spouted incendiary and often hateful rhetoric and pushed misinformation to his millions of viewers—and the reasons behind and terms of his exit from Fox were never publicly aired. His departure followed a series of disputes and scandals with the network, including a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems it settled for $787.5 million. Carlson’s relocation to Twitter comes amid a broader push from owner Elon Musk to build the platform as a place for long-form content and to build revenue to counter dwindling ad income. Musk has also tried to attract other prime-time news hosts and high-profile figures to bring their audiences to Twitter, particularly those with a left-leaning bent, but has yet to find someone to match Carlson’s profile.
Big Number
169 million. That’s how many views Carlson’s Twitter series has racked up on Twitter so far, according to metrics shown on the platform. There are currently two episodes published and a third, covering Carlson’s response to former President Trump’s indictment, is expected on Tuesday. Changes to Twitter made under Musk’s leadership mean it is unclear precisely what is counted as a “view” on the platform and the figures cannot be readily compared with viewing figures for cable news outlets like Fox.
Surprising Fact
Carlson holds the record for the highest-rated program in cable news history. With an average audience of 4.331 million viewers, Tucker Carlson Tonight surpassed the record set by Carlson’s Fox colleague Sean Hannity in 2020.
Further Reading
Scoop: Fox sends Tucker Carlson cease-and-desist letter (Axios)
Tucker Carlson Launches New Twitter Show Weeks After Fox News Ouster—And Talks Ukraine And UFOs (Forbes)
