Tucker Carlson is preparing for “war” against Fox News as the network delays in releasing him from his contract, which prevents him from working for other networks until January 2025.

Last month, Fox News made public its decision to part ways with Carlson, although it remains uncertain why.

Carlson is not technically terminated because he has not yet been released from his $20 million per year contract, which prohibits him from working elsewhere in the industry for an additional 20 months.

That means the popular anchor would be prohibited from actively covering the 2024 presidential election.

“His team is preparing for war. He wants his freedom,” a close friend told Axios, adding that Carlson had previously said he wanted to “get this done quiet and clean” but his team was now “going from peacetime to Defcon 1.”

Several behind-the-scenes Carlson videos have already reached left-leaning media outlets, despite Fox News’ denials of responsibility.

A second insider informed the media outlet that the conservative commentator “knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and is ready to start drawing a map.”

Carlson reportedly received higher offers from Newsmax and Rumble than he did from Fox, and he has reportedly discussed establishing a new venture with Twitter owner Elon Musk.

Carlson’s lawyer Byran Freedman told Axios, “The idea that anyone is going to silence Tucker and prevent him from speaking to his audience is beyond preposterous.”

Tucker v. Fox may alter the conservative news landscape. Fox wants to pay Carlson $20 million a year not to work because the network’s ratings have dropped in Carlson’s time slot since he was dismissed 13 days ago and the network wants to sideline him.

According to Axios, Carlson is reportedly developing his own media empire. However, he desires that Fox liberate him from his contract, which expires in January 2025, after the election.

According to Carlson’s close associates, he is also considering establishing a direct-to-consumer media platform where his numerous followers could pay to see him. Carlson’s predecessor at Fox, Bill O’Reilly, established the groundwork for this.

More on this story via The Republic Brief:

Two days after being fired, Carlson teased his old show with the following message in a Twitter video posted at 8 p.m. ET: “See you soon.” 24 million people have watched the two-minute video. CONTINUE READING…