Fox News has sued its former star anchor Tucker Carlson, alleging that he violated his contract with the network by launching a new show on Twitter.
Carlson, a conservative commentator known for spreading conspiracy theories and making inflammatory remarks, parted ways with Fox News in April after the network settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for nearly $800 million. He is still under contract with Fox News until the end of 2024 and is still being paid by the network.
In late May, Carlson announced that he would be bringing his show to Twitter, where he has more than 10 million followers. The first episode of his show, “Tucker on Twitter,” debuted on June 6 and featured controversial claims about Ukraine, Russia, 9/11 and Jeffrey Epstein. The second episode, released on June 13, focused on the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump.
Fox News sent Carlson a cease-and-desist letter on June 12, accusing him of breaching his contract by hosting a new show on another media outlet. The letter also demanded that he stop posting videos on Twitter and remove any existing ones.
Carlson’s lawyers have defended his right to free speech and criticized Fox News for ignoring the interests of its viewers and shareholders.
“Tucker will not be silenced by anyone,” Harmeet Dhillon, one of Carlson’s lawyers, said in a statement. “He is a singularly important voice on matters of public interest in our country, and will remain so.”
“Fox defends its very existence on freedom of speech grounds,” Bryan Freedman, another attorney for Carlson, said in a statement. “Now they want to take Tucker Carlson’s right to speak freely away from him because he took to social media to share his thoughts on current events.”
Fox News filed a lawsuit against Carlson in federal court in New York on June 14, seeking unspecified damages and an injunction to prevent him from continuing his Twitter show. The network claims that Carlson’s contract prohibits him from appearing on any other media outlets without its prior written consent.
The lawsuit also alleges that Carlson’s Twitter show damages Fox News’ reputation and business interests by competing with its programming and undermining its credibility.
“Carlson’s conduct is not only a breach of his contractual obligations, but also a betrayal of the trust and loyalty that Fox News has shown him over the years,” the lawsuit states.
Carlson has not responded publicly to the lawsuit yet. His producer, Justin Wells, tweeted that the next episode of “Tucker on Twitter” would be released soon.
The lawsuit is the latest twist in the tumultuous relationship between Carlson and Fox News, which was once his biggest platform and supporter. Carlson joined Fox News in 2009 and rose to become one of its most popular and influential hosts. His nightly program, “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” drew millions of viewers and loyal fans, as well as criticism and controversy for his incendiary statements about race, immigration, LGBTQ rights and other topics.
In the lead-up to the Dominion trial, Carlson’s internal communications revealed that he had expressed disdain for Trump and doubted his claims of election fraud. He also clashed with some of his colleagues at Fox News over editorial decisions and coverage.
Carlson’s departure from Fox News left a void in its prime-time lineup, which has struggled to maintain its ratings and audience since the 2020 election. Fox News has also faced competition from other conservative outlets, such as Newsmax and One America News Network, which have catered to Trump’s supporters.
Carlson’s move to Twitter reflects a broader trend of media personalities seeking alternative platforms to reach their fans and followers. Twitter has become a popular venue for political commentary and debate, as well as a source of news and information for many users.
However, Twitter also poses challenges and risks for content creators, such as censorship, harassment and misinformation. Twitter has recently taken steps to crack down on harmful or misleading content on its platform, especially related to COVID-19 and the election. It has also banned some prominent figures, such as Trump, for violating its rules.
It remains to be seen how Carlson’s Twitter show will fare in this environment and how it will affect his relationship with Fox News. The lawsuit could set a precedent for how media contracts are enforced in the digital age. It could also have implications for the future of journalism and free speech in an increasingly polarized and fragmented media landscape.
Relevant articles:
– Fox News sends Tucker Carlson cease-and-desist letter over new Twitter show, CNBC, June 12, 2023
– Tucker Carlson peddles conspiracy theories on Twitter debut from barn studio, The Guardian, June 7, 2023
– Tucker Carlson’s Contract Breach: Fox News vs Twitter Show Controversy, TechPresident, June 9, 2023
– Fox News sends Tucker Carlson cease-and-desist letter over his new Twitter show, NBC News, June 12, 2023