NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Elon Musk, CEO and owner of Twitter, clarified on Tuesday, May 9, that he has not signed any agreement with Tucker Carlson, the former host of Fox News. This comes after the ousted news anchor made an announcement in a three-minute video posted to his Twitter page in which he slammed the mainstream media and said anyone who tries to tell the truth "will be fired."
Sources close to Carlson have previously said he is preparing for 'war' against the network as he fights to be released from his $25 million-a-year contract, which prevented him from joining rival networks or starting one of his own. "The best you can hope for in the news business at this point is the freedom to tell the fullest truth that you can, but there are always limits," Carlson told his fans. "If you bump up against those limits often enough you will be fired for it. That's not a guess, it's guaranteed," he posted along with a tweet saying, "We're back." Meanwhile, Musk responded to Carlson's video by clarifying that there is no signed deal in place.
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'Choose to be content creators on this platform!'
"I also want to be clear that we have not signed a deal of any kind whatsoever. Tucker is subject to the same rules & rewards of all content creators," Musk tweeted, in response to Carlson's video. "Rewards means subscriptions and advertising revenue share (still working on software needed for latter), which is a function of how many people subscribe and the advertising views associated with his content." Musk added that he would like others to follow Carlson's lead. "I hope that many others, particularly from the left, also choose to be content creators on this platform," Musk said.
'Fired host Tucker Carlson announces new career move '
Further, In Carlson's video, he hit out at the mainstream media and took aim at his former employer for his sudden firing last month. "You often hear people say the news is full of lies, but most of the time that's not exactly right," he begins. "Most of what you see on television or read in the New York Times is true in the literal sense. But that doesn't make it true," he said. "At the most basic level, the news you consume is a lie — a lie of the stealthiest and most insidious kind," as per Daily Mail.
Carlson added that the mainstream media is misleading people "in every story that matters, every day of the week, every week of the year," and said that after more than 30 years in the news industry he "can tell you stories." "The best you can hope for in the news business at this point is the freedom to tell the fullest truth that you can, but there are always limits. If you bump up against those limits often enough you will be fired for it. That's not a guess, it's guaranteed," he said in a thinly-veiled reference to his sudden ouster.
He then continued to say that the system is "filthy" and "utterly corrupt." "You can't have a free society if people aren't allowed to say what they think is true," Carlson said. "Speech is the fundamental prerequisite for democracy. Amazingly, as of tonight, there aren't many platforms left that allow free speech. The last big one remaining in the world, the only one, is Twitter, where we are now. Twitter has long served as the place where our national conversation incubates and develops. Twitter is not a partisan site, everyone is allowed here, and we think that's a good thing." But, he claimed, the media "gatekeepers are still in charge," and he hopes to change that. "Starting soon, we'll be bringing a new version of the show we've been doing for the last six-and-a-half years to Twitter," Carlson finally announced, vowing that more information will be forthcoming.
'Tucker Carlson's legal battle with Fox escalates'
Moreover, Carlson's announcement puts an end to two weeks of speculation about his next career move, with media analysts closely observing his actions due to his substantial following. Also, Carlson's legal team sent a stern letter to Fox executives on Tuesday, accusing them of fraud and breach of contract. The letter argued against Carlson being bound by a non-compete clause, which extends his contract until January 2025. Carlson's lawyers allege that promises made by Fox, including the non-disclosure of private messages, were intentionally broken, constituting fraud. The letter also claims that Fox backtracked on promises regarding a settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, intending to harm Carlson's reputation.
According to reports, Carlson's lawyers have accused Fox executives, specifically believed to be Viet Dinh and Rupert Murdoch, of intentionally breaking "material representations" made to Carlson, amounting to fraudulent behavior. The letter alleges that Fox violated a promise to refrain from leaking Carlson's private messages. Additionally, it claims that Fox reneged on assurances not to settle with Dominion Voting Systems in a manner that would imply Carlson's wrongdoing and went back on an agreement to avoid taking action in a settlement that would harm Carlson's reputation.
The letter states, "These actions not only breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the Agreement, but give rise to claims for breach of contract, and intentional and negligent misrepresentation." Carlson claims in the letter that Irena Briganti, the head of corporate communications attempted to "undermine, embarrass, and interfere" with Carlson's future business prospects, which he maintains would constitute another breach of his employment contract. "Make no mistake, we intend to subpoena Ms. Briganti's cell phone records and related documents, which evidence communications with her and all media, including, but not limited to The New York Times," the letter said. Which also indicated a legal action would soon be filed.
'Tucker will be my first subscription thank you!'
Internet users had a field day with Carlson and Musk's announcements. One user tweeted, "This is the way, if it works out as planned. I think that Twitter can keep him honest if Community Notes develop like they have the potential to. Being someone who isn't a Tucker fan at all, I'd rather see him here than anywhere else. Twitter can become a decent arbitrator of truth if things are done correctly." Another chimed, "Except the dialogue will have a subscription gate / wall up. I’d never pay to see/support him so it has the possibility of becoming a mini echo chamber." A third user claimed, "Tucker will be my first subscription thank you!" A fourth said, "Tucker needs to be protected. No one with a big name and reach in the media is asking these questions." "The propaganda networks are going to fall and I’m loving every part of that…," read a tweet.
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