According to Conservative brief, recently leaked text messages have shed light on some of the behind-the-scenes drama at Fox News, following the network’s decision to remove its top star, Tucker Carlson, from the airwaves. The texts, which were obtained by left-wing outlet Confider and reported on by the Daily Beast, reveal that Fox News host Jesse Watters wanted two of his colleagues, Neil Cavuto and Chris Wallace, fired from the network. Watters believed that the network needed “fresh blood” and should hire more “Trump people” to replace them.
The texts also show that Carlson was frustrated with the direction the network was taking after the 2020 presidential election. He was privately expressing doubts about the validity of Donald Trump’s claims that the election was rigged, but publicly supported them on his show. In a text to Watters, Carlson expressed his concern that Trump’s response to the election results was “so sad” and that he was “going to break some shit.” Carlson also criticized Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich for calling out Hannity and accusing Trump of planning to “steal” the election.
In February, it was reported that Carlson had called for Heinrich to be fired after she fact-checked false claims of election fraud on Twitter. Carlson wrote to fellow Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, saying, “Please get her fired… It’s measurably hurting the company. The stock price is down.”
Although Fox News has taken Carlson’s show off the air, he remains under contract with the network until January 2025. However, reports suggest that he is planning to use powerful allies to pressure Fox to let him out of his contract so he can move on. According to sources close to Carlson, he is reportedly considering the possibility of creating his own direct-to-consumer media platform, where his large fan base could pay to watch him.
“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.”
“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.”
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.”
The tensions between Carlson and Fox News could have a significant impact on the conservative news world. Fox News has seen its ratings decline since Carlson was taken off the air, and the network is reportedly offering him $20 million a year not to work. Carlson, for his part, is said to be busy plotting a media empire of his own and needs Fox to let him out of his contract, which expires in January 2025. If he is successful in creating his own platform, it could represent a major shift in the media landscape.
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— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) May 8, 2023
