Controversial sacked Fox News host Tucker Carlson has emerged two days after being fired, delivering a two-minute, campaign-style monologue to Twitter.
But his video, posted on Wednesday just after 8pm US Eastern time – the same time his Fox show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, used to begin – has left more questions than it answered.
Carlson discussed a lack of honest political debate in the media – but pointedly did not address why he was fired from the Murdoch-owned right-wing network on Monday.
Carlson said one of the thing he had noticed, “when you step away from the noise for a few days”, is how nice some people are, and how hilarious some are.
“The other thing you notice when you take a little time off is how unbelievably stupid most of the debates you see on television are,” he said.
“They’re completely irrelevant. They mean nothing. In five years we won’t even remember we heard them. Trust me, as somebody who participated.”
He did not address reports circulating in the US media of offensive text messages sent around the time of the 2020 presidential election. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal have both reported on previously redacted messages that include Carlson insulting senior Fox executives and making other disparaging comments about the company.
Instead, he told his 6.3 million Twitter followers that debates on big topics such as war, civil liberties, emerging science, demographic change and corporate power were not permitted by corporate media or political parties.
“Where can you still find Americans saying true things?” he said.
“There aren’t many places left but there are some and that’s enough. As long as you can hear the words, there is hope. See you soon.”
Fox fired its most popular personality on Monday without explanation. It came less than a week after the Murdoch-owned network settled a lawsuit accusing it of spreading lies about the 2020 presidential election.
The decision to sack Carlson was reportedly made last Friday night (local time) by Fox Corporation chief executive Lachlan Murdoch and Fox News chief executive Suzanne Scott. Carlson was told on Monday, just minutes before his show was due to air.
Fox’s ratings in the 8pm slot have reportedly slumped since the departure of the controversial host.
“On Tuesday, the right-wing network delivered its worst ratings in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 demographic for a non-holiday Tuesday audience in the 8pm hour since before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks,” CNN reports.
-with AAP
