In April, Primetime news opinion host Tucker Carlson, with no prewarning, was axed from Fox News. And it seems that the Fox News watch time numbers have dropped.
The drop consists of 37% of the normal 1.42 million watchers. Despite the percentage of viewers not dropping too far, it is still a strong and consistent drop. Since Carlson’s drop, Fox News renamed “Tucker Carlson Tonight” to “Fox News Tonight.” There is no permanent host as of the month of June, however, temporary hosts: Brian Kilmeade, Kayleigh McEnany, Lawrence Jones, and more have rotated through the spot.
Despite the noticeably lower viewers, Fox News can still say it’s above other channel news networks.
Tucker Carlson Unexplained Leave
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.
The language of the statement suggests that the split was a mutually agreeable compromise. However, the lack of comments from Carlson suggests otherwise. Later, it is more evident that Carlson was not made aware of his cut from the news until the moment. A four-minute video posted on his Twitter exactly how he felt about the situation.
Now the ex-host plans to relaunch his career on Twitter.
Carson’s departure took place after a $787.5 million settlement for a defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit was issued by Dominion Voter System towards fox news. However, this lawsuit is not the one behind his departure.
Grossberg lawsuit
Viewers speculate over why the former host will not disclose his reason for the separation. One potential event that viewers on Twitter speculate is responsible is the lesser-known Grosberg lawsuit.
Abby Grossberg, a former producer who worked with Carlson, sued Fox News. The litigation brought forth asserts that Carlson and his producer, Justin Wells, frequently displayed rampant misogyny and anti-Sentamism within the workplace.
The lawsuit proceeded the day before an important hearing of the defamation battle between Fox News and the voting machine company. Additionally, the lawsuit filed on March 20, 2023, describes the workplace as a place that:
Subjugates women based on vile sexist stereotypes, typecasts religious minorities and belittles their traditions, and demonstrates little to no regard for those suffering from mental illness.
Grossberg alleges a number of sexist remarks aimed at multiple women in the office, including Fox News personality Maria Bartiromo. Additionally, the former producer also claims that the company put her in very real legal danger through Fox’s Legal team during the Dominion Voting System trial.
In charge of giving testimony for Fox News, Grossberg claims the company’s provided legal team advised her to give “false/misleading and evasive answers” in the case. A risk that not only puts the ex-producer at risk of perjury but shifts responsibility for the end result of the lawsuit onto her shoulders instead of the male leadership of the company.
After producing the names of those involved, Grossberg went on administrative leave. A result that according to Fox News is a result after Grossberg “threatened to disclose Fox’s attorney-client privileged information and we filed a temporary restraining order to protect our rights.”
An act that Grossberg claims is an attempt to “silence” her after refusing to settle the case on the company’s terms and effectively ending her career.
Evidence of Systematic Chauvinism
Grossberg’s lawsuit lined over ten pages of “sexual harassment and gender discrimination” within the workplace.
On her first day as a booking producer for Tucker Carlson, she discovered her computer had overtaken:
By many large and blown-up photographs of Nancy Pelosi in a plunging bathing suit revealing her cleavage.
At one point, a producer asked if her previous female boss “f***** Kevin McCarthy.”
A coworker and producer Alexander McCaskill allegedly called US Representative Kathyrn Cammack “fat like Kelly Clarkson.” In response, another coworker said:
She only became a congresswoman because she f***** the person who had the job before her.
Written by Brielle R. Buford
Sources:
The Guardian: Tucker Carlson home studio dismantled by Fox News workers
INDEPENDENT: Lewd comments, Pelosi pictures and ‘systemic chauvinism’: Tucker Carlson producer alleges culture of misogyny at Fox News
CNBC: Tucker Carlson to host show on Twitter after being fired from Fox News
Yahoo! Entertainment: Fox News’ First Full Tucker Carlson-Free Month Took A Dive In The Ratings
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Mark Norman Francis‘ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
