“I don’t know why I was fired, I really don’t,” declared Tucker Carlson today on his sudden departure from the airwaves of Fox News on April 24. “I’m not angry about it,” the former primetime host told pal Russell Brand. “I honestly don’t know.”
On his unexpected departure from Fox News in April, Tucker Carlson expressed his surprise and lack of understanding regarding the circumstances that led to his exit. In an interview with Russell Brand on his podcast, Carlson maintained a composed demeanor, acknowledging that as an employee, it was within Fox News’ rights to decide his fate. Despite the situation, Carlson genuinely wished the network well, displaying a level of maturity and grace.
“I was surprised,” Carlson said at another point in the heavy hyped interview on Brand’s podcast. “I didn’t you know expect to get fired that morning at all in April. So, I was shocked, but I wasn’t really shocked. And I wasn’t mad. It’s not my company. And when you work for someone else, that person reserves the right and in fact has inherently the right to decide whether you work there or not.”
However, as the legal dispute over Carlson’s multimillion-dollar contract and his Twitter show continued, tensions between the parties seemed apparent. The interview with Brand covered various topics, including Carlson’s evolving stance on Donald Trump, his love for rural life, and his controversial perspective on the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Yet, it was when discussing his departure from Fox News and the Russian invasion of Ukraine that the conversation took a darker turn.
Navigating his words carefully, Carlson shared two seemingly contradictory views: gratitude toward Fox News for allowing him the freedom to express his opinions while speculating about potential motivations behind his sudden departure. He acknowledged the network’s consistent support and highlighted that they never imposed any restrictions on his speech until the moment they informed him of the show’s cancellation.
Addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Carlson suggested that it could be a sensitive issue for many individuals in business and politics, potentially serving as a red line. Expressing his concern about the loss of life and destruction in Ukraine, Carlson claimed that criticizing this narrative could lead to attempts to silence dissenting voices.
The timing of Carlson’s departure, just days after Fox News settled defamation claims with Dominion Voting Systems, added further intrigue to the situation. Internal correspondence had been leaked, revealing scathing remarks by Carlson and other Fox hosts about Donald Trump, the company, and the Stop the Steal movement. Additionally, a lawsuit filed by a former producer alleging a toxic workplace culture resulted in a $12 million settlement.
Regarding Carlson’s contract, his attorney argued that Fox News breached the agreement, potentially invalidating the non-compete clause. Disputes also arose regarding Carlson’s Twitter show and the leaked behind-the-scenes footage, which became a contentious battleground. Carlson’s attorney suggested that the network was behind the leak, although Carlson himself appeared uncertain about the details and expressed no animosity towards Fox News.
“There was you know, ugly leaking and I’m a racist or whatever they leaked, someone there leaked to the New York Times,” Carlson said of the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox. “But that’s not true, and I think the people who run the company know that’s not true. Actually, don’t think they did it. And I’m not mad about it. And I’ve been happy.”
In conclusion, Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News demonstrated his acceptance of the situation, despite not fully comprehending the reasons behind it. Throughout the interview, he remained composed and respectful towards his former employer, focusing on his appreciation for the freedom he had enjoyed while hosting his show. While some controversies and legal battles surrounded his departure, Carlson maintained a composed and optimistic outlook, seemingly unwilling to harbor any resentment.
