By The FirstHost of the No Spin News, Bill O’Reilly, is speaking out on Tucker Carlson’s abrupt departure from Fox News, saying few people, including Carlson and his staff, were aware of Fox’s decision until the public announcement.
“This was a shock to Tucker Carlson and his staff,” O’Reilly said on Monday. “This morning, they were putting together Monday night’s program. They were actively involved in making the rundown, as all of us do, who go on television each night to talk to you. In the middle of that – boom – Tucker Carlson is history at the Fox News channel. That’s how fast it came. Nobody knew. And that’s in stone. That’s not speculation.”
The longtime newsman went on to analyze Fox’s decision-making process, saying there were several factors that likely played a role in their decision to remove Carlson from the airwaves. Among those factors was 60 Minutes’ interview with Ray Epps, a former conservative activist and January 6th participant who some, including Carlson, have speculated was an FBI informant.
“If you watched 60 Minutes last night, you saw a man named Ray Epps tell the audience that Tucker Carlson ruined his life,” O’Reilly noted. “That was a pretty strong assertion, and when I saw it, I said, ‘here comes a lawsuit against Tucker Carlson and Fox News from Ray Epps.’”
In addition, O’Reilly says that forthcoming shareholder lawsuits against Fox News’ Board of Directors – which are a direct result of News Corp’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems – likely played a role in Fox’s decision.
“This litigation against Fox News is ongoing and destructive,” O’Reilly said. “Tucker Carlson is the lightning rod.”
O’Reilly added that Carlson’s departure, coupled with that of CNN’s Don Lemon, shows that cable news outlets are no longer willing to stand by their talent.
“When the going gets rough, you’re going to be thrown right overboard no matter who you are,” O’Reilly concluded. “That’s the way American corporations work.”
Watch Bill O’Reilly’s full analysis of Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News:
