In a surprising development, Fox News has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Tucker Carlson in response to his new series of thought-provoking monologues on Twitter, as reported by Axios on Monday.
Last week, Carlson took to Twitter to share the inaugural episode of his captivating 10-minute series, “Tucker On Twitter.” The episode quickly gained traction and amassed an impressive 115 million views, with the second episode approaching the 55 million mark. This remarkable response prompted Fox News to accuse Carlson of breaching his contractual obligations by disseminating exclusive content outside of the network’s platform.
According to Axios, the cease-and-desist letter explicitly states that Carlson’s work remains the exclusive property of Fox News, as the network continues to honor its financial commitments to him. The contractual agreement is set to remain in effect until December 31, 2024. This latest development comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed against Tucker Carlson by his former producer, Justin Wells, who hinted at an upcoming episode of “Tucker on Twitter” featuring Carlson’s commentary on the federal prosecution of former President Donald Trump.
In response to Fox News’ actions, attorney Harmeet Dhillon issued a statement asserting that the network is attempting to silence Carlson until after the 2024 presidential election. Dhillon criticized Fox News for disregarding its responsibilities towards its shareholders and viewers, claiming that the network is turning a blind eye to both. The Washington Post also chimed in, characterizing Fox’s demand for silence from Tucker Carlson until after the election as “one of the most ill-conceived programming decisions in the history of cable news.”
Dhillon stood firmly in support of Carlson, affirming his unwavering commitment to expressing his thoughts and opinions freely. Taking to Twitter, she explained that her absence from Fox News is directly linked to the network’s attempt to muzzle Carlson. Dhillon emphasized her staunch belief in the principles of free speech and the unrestricted flow of information, vital for the preservation of a truly democratic society. She urged viewers to remain mindful of the potential editing biases present in the news aired on Fox and to make informed decisions regarding their viewing preferences.
Furthermore, in a counterclaim against Fox News, Carlson accused the network of contract breaches and fraudulent behavior. A source familiar with Carlson’s legal team revealed that they contend “Tucker on Twitter” should not be subject to the contractual constraints imposed by Fox News, as Twitter does not directly compete with the network.
In an attempt to defend Carlson’s rights to free speech, Fox News invoked the First Amendment, emphasizing the importance of protecting his expression of views on current events through social media platforms. Bryan Freedman, Carlson’s lawyer, stated that Fox News is now seeking to curtail his client’s freedom of speech, following the network’s recent settlement of an $800 million defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems in April.
The evolving situation surrounding Tucker Carlson’s independent Twitter series and his relationship with Fox News raises significant questions about contractual obligations and the boundaries of free speech within the media landscape. As the story continues to unfold, the clash between Carlson’s desire for open expression and Fox News’ contractual expectations remains a focal point of discussion and debate.