When it comes to U.S. cable television news networks, polarizing opinions have defined the difference between FOX News Channel and CNN in recent years. Today, however, each of the MVPD-distributed channels have one thing in common.
Each of the network’s most high-profile anchor-personalities have been dismissed by their respective employers.
Fox News has “agreed to part ways” with Tucker Carlson, its highly popular host and conservative political commentator. His final appearance on the network was Friday, April 21. “We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor,” the network said in a statement.
His dismissal comes following a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems that settles a lawsuit over FNC’s 2020 election reporting, which saw FOX commentators slam Dominion for irregularities as part of a voter fraud narrative that until now has been shrouded in doubt.
Carlson had been with FOX News since 2016, succeeding Bill O’Reilly. And, according to MSN, he was recently named in a lawsuit filed by Abby Grossberg, a Fox News producer who was terminated after asserting that Fox attorneys coerced her to give misleading testimony in its case against Dominion. Grossberg worked for Carlson after leaving a Fox program hosted by Maria Bartiromo.
Fox countersued in an effort to prevent Grossberg from disclosing confidential information with Fox attorneys. “Her allegations in connection with the Dominion case are baseless,” the company said.
What’s next for Carlson? Could he perhaps resurface on Congress Avenue in Boca Raton, Fla., with a contract courtesy of Christopher Ruddy?
His Newsmax network issued a statement on Monday stating, “For a while Fox News has been moving to become establishment media and Tucker Carlson’s removal is a big milestone in that effort. Millions of viewers who liked the old Fox News have made the switch to Newsmax and Tucker’s departure will only fuel that trend.”
LEMON SQUEEZE
The other big news on Monday involved the termination from CNN of Don Lemon.
That news was distributed via Twitter.
In a statement, CNN said, “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on his future endeavors.”
Lemon appeared Monday morning on CNN This Morning with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow; in recent weeks there had been reports of growing unrest between Lemon and his female co-anchors, with Collins mentioned in discussions of getting a more prominent role at the network.
Lemon responded to CNN’s Tweet with his own. “At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
CNN fired back. “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” it later posted on Twitter. “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
