The battle between Fox News and its former prime-time star host, Tucker Carlson, has reached a new level.
Fox has sent Carlson a “cease and desist” letter after he launched a new show called “Tucker on Twitter,” which is not sponsored, to great fanfare and reach. Each of the first two offerings has tens of millions of views, with the first one breaking 114 million.
The letter, as first reported by Axios, boasts an all-caps “NOT FOR PUBLICATION” at the top and comes shortly after Carlson released his second episode of “Tucker on Twitter.”
The letter revolves around Fox’s claim that Carlson is obligated to refrain from making public comments on current news events while he remains under contract and receives his salary from Fox until the end of 2024.
Carlson’s legal team has strongly objected, asserting his First Amendment right to express his opinions. They have also alleged significant breaches of contract by Fox on the part of the former primetime host.
Harmeet Dhillon, the lead attorney for Carlson, gave a classic takedown of Fox News on Monday.
“My friend and client @TuckerCarlson will not be silenced — by the far left or by Fox News. For all the friends who have been asking ‘why don’t we see you on Fox anymore?’ — This is why. I am passionately committed to free speech and a free flow of information necessary for a free society. Until Fox stops trying to silence Tucker, it’s not a place for me,” Dhillon tweeted.
For all the friends who have been asking “why don’t we see you on Fox anymore?” — This is why. I am passionately committed to free speech and a free flow of information necessary for a free society. Until Fox stops trying to silence Tucker, it’s not a place for me. And I feel for…
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) June 12, 2023
“And I feel for my friends working at the network which has clearly caved into pressure from some quarter to silence @TuckerCarlson. What you are seeing on Fox today is a censored version of the news. Keep that in mind as you make your viewing and your commenting choices,” she added.
Sources with ties to Carlson’s new production team revealed to Axios that he intends to expand his show to feature longer and more diverse episodes, potentially incorporating guest appearances.
Justin Wells, Carlson’s executive producer, shared a tweet on Sunday stating, “Next Episode of Tucker on Twitter coming Tuesday: Tucker’s response to the indictment of President Donald Trump.”
In a statement to Axios, Dhillon said:
“Fox News continues to ignore the interests of its viewers, not to mention its shareholder obligations. Doubling down on the most catastrophic programming decision in the history of the cable news industry, Fox is now demanding that Tucker Carlson be silent until after the 2024 election.
Tucker will not be silenced by anyone … He is a singularly important voice on matters of public interest in our country, and will remain so.”