Fox News has found itself locked in a contract dispute with its former star host, Tucker Carlson, most recently sending Carlson a cease-and-desist letter that supposedly reminds Carlson that his contract guarantees contract exclusivity through December 2024.
Fox has decided to send this letter as Carlson commences a rival show on Twitter, amassing 169 million views for the first two episodes. Carlson, who was dismissed from Fox in April following the network’s unprecedented settlement with Dominion, is now intensifying the rival series “Tucker on Twitter,” using Elon Musk’s platform to challenge the conservative media landscape.
Fox maintains they are still paying Carlson under the terms of their original contract. However, Carlson argues that his use of Twitter is a First Amendment right, and alleges Fox has materially breached his contract.
Carlson’s Twitter series, characterized by direct-to-camera monologues, is set to evolve with longer episodes and guest features. Upcoming episodes will address significant contemporary issues, including the indictment of President Trump.
Harmeet Dhillon, Carlson’s attorney, criticized Fox’s actions as being counter to its viewer interests and shareholder obligations. According to Dhillon, Fox’s demand for Carlson’s silence until post-2024 elections is an untenable action.
Asserting Carlson’s importance in public discourse, Dhillon stated that he would not be silenced. Fox News, at the time of reporting, has not commented on the matter.
