Fox News sent a “cease and desist” letter to Tucker Carlson to try to silence the network’s former star as his new Twitter show continues to score huge numbers of viewers. Tucker’s first two “Tucker on Twitter” videos landed more than 50 and 100 million views.
According to Axios, the cease-and-desist letter has “NOT FOR PUBLICATION” in bold at the top. Fox is still paying Carlson and wants to silence him until the end of the contract on Dec. 31, 2024.
Tucker’s lawyer said, Harmeet Dhillon: “Fox News continues to ignore the interests of its viewers, not to mention its shareholder obligations.
“Doubling down on the most catastrophic programming decision in the history of the cable news industry, Fox is now demanding that Tucker Carlson be silent until after the 2024 election.
“Tucker will not be silenced by anyone. He is a singularly important voice on matters of public interest in our country, and will remain so.
“For all the friends who have been asking “why don’t we see you on Fox anymore, this is why.
“I am passionately committed to free speech and a free flow of information necessary for a free society. Until Fox stops trying to silence Tucker, it’s not a place for me.
“And I feel for my friends working at the network which has clearly caved into pressure from some quarter to silence Tucker Carlson.
“What you are seeing on Fox today is a censored version of the news. Keep that in mind as you make your viewing and your commenting choices.”
According to Axios:
Carlson’s first two Twitter episodes were straight-to-camera monologues. He plans to keep iterating with longer, more varied episodes and the addition of guests, Axios is told.
We hear some big names have been lined up.
Justin Wells, Carlson’s executive producer, tweeted yesterday: “Next Episode of Tucker on Twitter coming Tuesday: Tucker’s response to the indictment of President Donald Trump.”
For all the friends who have been asking “why don’t we see you on Fox anymore?” — This is why. I am passionately committed to free speech and a free flow of information necessary for a free society. Until Fox stops trying to silence Tucker, it’s not a place for me. And I feel for…
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) June 12, 2023
For all the members of Congress, culture warriors, “influencers,”@GOP officials — do you really want to air your views on a network that spits on its viewers, leaks oppo on its own talent, and even threatens former talent for speaking, for free, on @Twitter?! You have free will!
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) June 12, 2023
