Tucker Carlson Plans To Challenge Fox News With A Rival Right-Wing Network

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host, is reportedly gearing up to wage a media war against his previous employer. Sources reveal that Carlson is strategizing to initiate an offensive against Fox News, either by working for or establishing a conservative competitor. This move is part of an effort to coerce the network into releasing him from his contract, which is set to expire in January 2025.

Carlson's legal representative, Bryan Freedman, rejects the notion of silencing his client, stating that the idea is absurd. The impending clash between Tucker and Fox could significantly reshape the conservative news landscape. Fox News, which has suffered a ratings decline following Carlson's departure, aims to restrict his activities by offering him $20 million annually to refrain from working.

Interestingly, Axios has discovered that Carlson is actively planning to create his own media empire. Several outlets, such as Rumble and Newsmax, have already approached him with offers exceeding his current Fox contract. Furthermore, Carlson has been reportedly considering building a direct-to-consumer media outlet, similar to the model established by his Fox predecessor, Bill O'Reilly.

Tucker Carlson is preparing to unleash allies to attack Fox News in an effort to bully the network into letting him work for — or start — a right-wing rival, sources close to him tell Axios.

• Bryan Freedman, the high-powered Hollywood lawyer Carlson retained for the contract dispute, told Axios: "The idea that anyone is going to silence Tucker and prevent him from speaking to his audience is beyond preposterous."

Why it matters: Tucker vs. Fox could reshape the conservative news world. Fox, which has seen its ratings plunge in Carlson's slot since he was let go 13 days ago, wants to sideline him by paying him $20 million a year not to work.

The intrigue: Axios has learned Carlson is busy plotting a media empire of his own. But he needs Fox to let him out of his contract, which expires in January 2025 — after the presidential election.

• We're told Carlson has been contacted by outlets — including the right-wing Rumble and Newsmax — that offered to pay him more than his Fox contract.

Behind the scenes: Axios has learned that Carlson and Elon Musk had a conversation about working together, but didn't discuss specifics.

• Carlson confidants say he also is contemplating building a direct-to-consumer media outlet where his millions of fans could pay to watch him. Carlson's predecessor in his Fox slot, Bill O'Reilly, created a blueprint for this.
• Two days after being booted, Carlson teased in a Twitter video posted at 8 p.m. ET, counter-programming his former show: "See you soon." The two-minute video has racked up 24 million views.

State of play: The ousted host "knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and is ready to start drawing a map," said a Carlson source who wasn't authorized to speak publicly.

• Carlson allies with big platforms are prepared to attack Fox for trying to keep him on the shelf.
• Bare-knuckle brawlers from Trumpworld are standing by.

"They're coming to him and saying: 'Do you want me to hit Fox?' '' a close Carlson friend said. "He's been saying: 'No. I want to get this done quiet and clean.' "

• "Now, we're going from peacetime to Defcon 1," the friend added. "His team is preparing for war. He wants his freedom."
• In a sign of what could be coming, Megyn Kelly hit her former employer for its post-Carlson ratings by tweeting a reference to conservative attacks on Bud Light: "My audience is calling them #Foxweiser."

The other side: Fox News directed Axios to the network's statement when Fox and Carlson "agreed to part ways": "We thank him for his service to the network."

Several embarrassing revelations have surfaced about Carlson from the files of the settled Dominion Voting Systems case against Fox — including his use of an obscenity about women, and a text message in which he said about a street attack: "It’s not how white men fight."

• Carlson's camp said his media suitors have gotten more aggressive about following up on their offers — viewing him as all the hotter.

Originally published by: Mike Allen on Axios