OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
There are early indications that the relationship between Tucker Carlson and his former employer, Fox News, could take an unpleasant turn.
Rolling Stone has reported that the network has compiled a confidential “oppo file” containing compromising information on Carlson, which it may use if he tries to take any legal action against the network. However, some may question the reliability of this report, given Rolling Stone’s history of credibility issues.
Still, the outlet claimed to have spoken to eight sources within Fox News who said they had knowledge of a data file that the network could use to dispute Carlson and harm his reputation in case he were to go after his former employer.
In a statement announcing Fox News’ decision to cut ties with Carlson, the outlet said: “FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.”
It added: “Mr. Carlson’s last program was Friday, April 21st.”
Rolling Stone claims that Irena Briganti, Fox’s senior executive vice president for corporate communications, is known for her “notoriously aggressive” tactics and has been keeping “oppo files” on the network’s talent and contributors for a long time. Her name was the first to appear under Fox’s published statement regarding Carlson’s departure.
Initial reports indicated that the break-up was amicable and mutual, but Rolling Stone reports otherwise, claiming that a source says Carlson left on “the worst” and “messiest possible terms.”
And, in an email that surfaced during Fox News’ case with Dominion Voting Systems, Carlson reportedly said in an email, “She hates us.”
“Eight people familiar with the situation tell Rolling Stone that Fox News and its communications department — long led by the notoriously aggressive Irena Briganti — has assembled damaging information about Carlson,” Rolling Stone reported.
“One source with knowledge calls it an ‘oppo file.’ Two sources add that Fox is prepared to disclose some of its contents if execs suspect that Carlson is coming after the network,” the report continued. “The file includes internal complaints regarding workplace conduct, disparaging comments about management and colleagues, and allegations that the now-former prime-time host created a toxic work environment, three of the sources say.”
Late Wednesday, Carlson released a video to his supporters on Wednesday night, encouraging them to “keep fighting” and adding that they would hear from him soon. In the video, Carlson said he realized after stepping “outside the noise for a few days” how “unbelievably stupid most of the debates you see on television are,” arguing that they were “completely irrelevant” and “mean nothing.”
“In five years, we won’t even remember that we had them,” he said. “Trust me as someone who has participated.”
Explain America’s Carmine Sabia filed a report regarding the video shortly after Carlson dropped it:
“Good evening,” the conservative firebrand began during his 8 p.m. video tweet, the same time his show had aired for years on the Fox News Channel.
“When you take a little time off, you realize how unbelievably stupid most of the debates you see on television are, they’re completely irrelevant. They mean nothing. In five years, we won’t even remember that we had them. Trust me as someone who participated.”
“Both political parties and their donors have reached consensus on what benefits them and they actively collude to shut down any conversation about it. Suddenly the United States looks very much like a one party state,” Carlson proffered.
“That’s a depressing realization, but it’s not permanent. Our current orthodoxies won’t last. They’re brain dead. Nobody actually believes them. Hardly anyone’s life is improved by them. This moment is too inherently ridiculous to continue and so it won’t.
“The people in charge know this. That’s why they’re hysterical and aggressive. They’re afraid. They’ve given up persuasion, they’re resorting to force. But it won’t work.
“When honest people say what’s true, calmly and without embarrassment, they become powerful. At the same time, the liars who have been trying to silence them shrink and they become weaker. That’s the iron law of the universe: true things prevail.”
“Where can you still find Americans saying true things? There aren’t many places left, but there are some and that’s enough,” Carlson concluded.
“As long as you can hear the words, there is hope. See you soon.”
