Tucker Carlsons Prayer Talk May Have Led to Fox News Ouster "That Stuff Freaks Rupert Out"

[brooklynite]

Vanity Fair

A new theory has emerged. According to the source, Fox Corp. chair Rupert Murdoch removed Carlson over remarks Carlson made during a speech at the Heritage Foundation’s 50th Anniversary gala on Friday night. Carlson laced his speech with religious overtones that even Murdoch found too extreme, the source, who was briefed on Murdoch’s decision-making, said. Carlson told the Heritage audience that national politics has become a manichean battle between “good” and “evil.” Carlson said that people advocating for transgender rights and DEI programs want to destroy America and they could not be persuaded with facts. “We should say that and stop engaging in these totally fraudulent debates…I’ve tried. That doesn’t work,” he said. The answer, Carlson suggested, was prayer. “I have concluded it might be worth taking just 10 minutes out of your busy schedule to say a prayer for the future, and I hope you will,” he said. “That stuff freaks Rupert out. He doesn’t like all the spiritual talk,” the source said.

Carlson declined to comment. A spokesperson for Fox Corp. declined to comment.

It’s been reported that Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch and Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott made the decision to fire Carlson on Friday night. Another source, a person close to Murdoch, has said something similar to me. Scott informed Carlson of the decision on Monday morning.

Rupert Murdoch was perhaps unnerved by Carlson’s messianism because it echoed the end-times worldview of Murdoch’s ex-fiancée Ann Lesley Smith, the source said. In my May cover story, I reported that Murdoch and Smith called off their two-week engagement because Smith had told people Carlson was “a messenger from God.” Murdoch had seen Carlson and Smith discuss religion firsthand. In late March, Carlson had dinner at Murdoch’s Bel Air vineyard with Murdoch and Smith, according to the source. During dinner, Smith pulled out a bible and started reading passages from the Book of Exodus, the source said. “Rupert just sat there and stared,” the source said. A few days after the dinner, Murdoch and Smith called off the wedding. By taking Carlson off the air, Murdoch was also taking away his ex’s favorite show.

[maxsolomon]

1. LOL, that's so precious.

Don't they know its about $?

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Just once I'd like to believe that something good happened for the right reason

Yet it's all interpersonal feuds, phobias, fetishes, petty vendettas, happenstance and myrrh.

There just is not much sanity remaining.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. My guess is that Murdoch is a bit preoccupied with the prospect of death.

And prayer kinda drives that concept home.

[rurallib]

4. Thoughts and prayers to Tucker

[Beetwasher.]

5. Hmm, You Pray, Tuck? Hmmm. interesting. May I suggest

You spend all your time praying. Harder. Don’t even take time to eat or drink. Just keep praying. Maybe things will work out for you.

[Arthur_Frain]

6. At this point I'm not sure if I care about the ultimate reasons,

It’s just nice to see one of these fucks finally get a semblance of comeuppance.

[TlalocW]

7. Sounds like a good cover story to make sure evangelicals stay on Tucker's side

Although one of the other stories floating around about his being abusive and sexist would hardly lose him any fans among their ranks.

[lame54]

10. Yes. He knew his audience

[keithbvadu2]

8. Like the right wing using the Bible to pray for Biden's death? Earlier, it was for Obama.

Like the right wing using the Bible to pray for Biden's death?

Earlier, it was for Obama's death.

I can believe breaking off the engagement over prayer/religion but not firing TC over it.

Dollars supersede religion for republicans.

[Midnight Writer]

9. As someone exposed to RW Hate Radio, this "good-evil", "Godly-Satanic" talk is on the rise.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

13. When was it *not* part of their screeching?

They've only been at it since the 80s that I can recall, starting with that smarmy barmy reagan, who never missed an opportunity to paint liberals, women, minorities and brown people as evil, and only the people who agreed with his hate were "good."

[Maru Kitteh]

11. Wasn't Ruprecht recently engaged to a former preacher?

Recently called it off, blamed his son?

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

12. What a demented little prat

Carlson said that people advocating for transgender rights and DEI programs want to destroy America and they could not be persuaded with facts.

No, Salisbury Sap, the problem is that the majority of people *are* armed with the facts, and that's why they hold you and your ignorant hate-peddling in contempt.