SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly has implicated media consultant Timothy Burke as a possible individual behind the leaked videos of Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson. These videos, released after Carlson’s exit from Fox News in April, featured off-air remarks that were not meant to be publicly disseminated.
Following the incident, the FBI confiscated Burke’s technological equipment for investigation. Burke’s attorney, Mark Rasche, claimed that the videos were publicly accessible, framing Burke as skilled at locating such content on the internet.
Kelly suggested the incident was part of a broader attempt to damage Carlson’s reputation. An earlier warning from a Florida U.S. attorney given to Fox News in June hinted at unauthorized access and potential illegal wiretapping of the network’s systems.
This cybercrime allegation, later confirmed by Rasche, was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Kelly had previously blamed Irena Briganti, Senior Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications at Fox News, for the leaked videos, an accusation Briganti denied.
Kelly asserted Fox News’ fear of Carlson’s competition as the driving factor behind their actions. She revealed that Briganti was warned about the consequences of further leaks after suspicion rose regarding her involvement in leaked text messages obtained by The New York Times, in which Carlson allegedly insulted a network executive.
Kelly opined that Fox News’s panic about competing with Carlson resulted in them attempting to sideline and silence him. This sentiment was reinforced when Fox News accused Carlson of breaching his contract following the launch of his new Twitter show. The contract stipulates Carlson’s $20 million per annum payment for not working until its termination in January 2025.
