Text messages leaked to a left-leaning outlet reveal more embarrassing behind-the-scenes activities at Fox News in the aftermath of the network’s decision to remove its most prominent personality, Tucker Carlson, from the air.
According to Confider of the Daily Beast, Jesse Watters wanted Neil Cavuto, who broadcasts “Your World” on Fox News and “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” on Fox Business, to be fired.
Watters also wanted the network to fire former “Fox News Sunday” anchor Chris Wallace, who left Fox for CNN in the wake of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol Building because he disagreed with a short series produced by Carlson that suggested federal plants were involved in inciting the riot.
The texts between Watters and Carlson reveal that the two Fox personalities were dissatisfied with the network’s direction following the 2020 presidential election.
Carlson appeared similarly dissatisfied with then-President Donald Trump’s response to the election results. According to Mediaite, despite privately questioning the veracity of Trump’s claims that the election was rigged, Carlson publicly supported them on his program.
“It’s so sad,” he texted Watters in December 2020. “He’s going to break some shit. He already is. Wish I knew where to run. But I’ll die here.”
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“Wallace Cavuto and other [sic] have got to go,” Watters responded at another point in the exchange. “Need some fresh blood. Should hire some trump [sic] people.”
Carlson also chastised Jacqui Heinrich, a Fox News correspondent.
“This girl apparently works for us in the ‘news’ division, though I’d be stunned if she’s ever broken a story,” he texted. “She was on Twitter last night calling out Hannity, and accusing Trump of planning to ‘steal’ the election. Can’t continue.”
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In February, it was reported that Carlson had sent text messages to fellow Fox News presenters Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, demanding Heinrich’s dismissal in response to a fact-check she had posted on Twitter regarding false claims of election fraud.
“Please get her fired,” Carlson wrote. “Seriously… What the f**k? I’m actually shocked. It needs to stop immediately, like tonight. It’s measurably hurting the company The stock price is down. Not a joke.”
Fox has canceled Carlson’s show, but he remains under contract with the network until January 2025. However, recent reports indicate he is planning a campaign to pressure Fox to release him from his contract so he can move on.
“Carlson is preparing to unleash allies to attack Fox News in an effort to bully the network into letting him work for — or start — a right-wing rival, sources close to him” told Axios on Sunday.
Axios added that the high-powered Hollywood lawyer that Carlson hired to represent him after Fox News took him off the air told the outlet: “The idea that anyone is going to silence Tucker and prevent him from speaking to his audience is beyond preposterous.”
The report said:
More on this story via Conservative Brief:
Tucker vs. Fox could reshape the conservative news world. Fox, which has seen its ratings plunge in Carlson’s slot since he was let go 13 days ago, wants to sideline him by paying him $20 million a year not to work. CONTINUE READING…
