Fox News boss Rupert Murdoch personally pushed out star host Tucker Carlson according to a new report from The Los Angeles Times. Murdoch made the move reportedly over a lawsuit filed by former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg
“Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” the network said in a statement. “We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.”
Grossberg booked guests for “Tucker Carlson Tonight” before she was fired earlier this year. She filed a complaint in a New York federal court on March 20.
Grossbertg accused Tucker and other Fox executives of having “a work environment that subjugates women based on vile sexist stereotypes.”
“Ms. Grossberg was isolated, overworked, undervalued, denied opportunities for promotion, and generally treated significantly worse than her male counterparts, even when those men were less qualified than her,” the complaint said.
Fox News denied the allegations and said they will “vigorously defend Fox against all of her legal claims which have no merit.”
“FOX News Media engaged an independent outside counsel to immediately investigate the concerns raised by Ms. Grossberg, which were made following a critical performance review,” a spokesperson said.
According to The Los Angeles Times:
A Fox News representative had no other details on Carlson’s exit. People familiar with the situation who were not authorized to comment publicly said the decision to fire Carlson came straight from Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch.
Carlson’s exit is related to the discrimination lawsuit filed by Abby Grossberg, the producer fired by the network last month, the people said.
Carlson’s senior executive producer Justin Wells has also been terminated, according to people familiar with the matter. A Fox News representative would not comment.
The decision to fire Tucker Carlson came straight from Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, according to people familiar with the situation who were not authorized to comment. https://t.co/RsBWFVjYSS
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) April 24, 2023
The decision is not related to the $787.5-million settlement Fox News agreed to pay to Dominion Voting Systems. However, some of Carlson’s comments about management that turned up in the discovery process for the case may have played a role in his demise. https://t.co/mAmqwplF7s
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) April 24, 2023
