NEW YORK, United States – Tucker Carlson, the former primetime host on Fox News, has received a cease-and-desist letter from the network, claiming that his new show on Twitter violates the terms of his exclusive contract.
The letter serves as a warning to Carlson, who left the network on April 24, that he is still bound by the contract until 2025, according to reports by Axios and The New York Times on Monday.
The contentious issue arose after Carlson announced his plans to launch a show on Twitter following his departure from Fox News.
The move came as a surprise to many, especially considering the strong conservative base of his previous show, “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
The program gained immense popularity by criticizing liberal trends in America and attracting a dedicated viewership.
Carlson’s lawyer, Harmeet Dhillon, took to Twitter to respond to the reports, asserting that his “friend and client” would not be silenced by the “far left” or Fox News.
Meanwhile, Fox News has not yet provided an immediate response to the matter when contacted by AFP.
The timing of Carlson’s departure from Fox News coincided with the network’s settlement of a substantial $787.5 million defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems, an election technology company.
This settlement followed Carlson’s consistent criticism of various topics, including immigration policies and gun control, often sparking outrage among viewers.
Tucker Carlson gaining momentum since leaving Fox News
Since launching his show on Twitter, Carlson has released two monologues in a style reminiscent of the opening segments of his former Fox News program.
These videos, posted on June 6 and June 8, have garnered significant attention, with the first video amassing 115 million views and the second reaching 55.2 million views as of Monday evening.
Twitter, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been making efforts to foster an environment welcoming to conservative voices.
Carlson’s decision to join the platform aligns with this vision, attracting a sizeable following of 8.3 million users.
The executive producer of Carlson’s Twitter show has confirmed that the next episode, set to air on Tuesday, will address former president Donald Trump‘s recent indictment on federal charges.
As the show gains traction and popularity, it remains to be seen how Fox News will handle the situation, especially considering the impact Carlson’s departure has had on the network’s ratings.
While Fox News experienced a decline in ratings in May, it still maintained its position ahead of competitors such as MSNBC and CNN.
For now, the cease-and-desist letter from Fox News serves as a reminder of the contractual obligations Carlson may still be bound to, despite his departure, and the potential challenges he may face in continuing his show on Twitter.
