First up, let’s talk about the shocking departure of Tucker Carlson. Earlier, we published a piece discussing Yashar Ali’s story about it. Now, we are seeing a slightly different rumor about what went down. Bluntly, we don’t know who is right, we are simply sharing it and you should take it with a huge grain of salt:
My sources are telling me: Tucker was all set to go live tonight. He probably had plans to talk about the lawsuit and clear his name. Producers were prepping guests and slots of Monday's show. Corporate nixed the idea and Tucker up and quit!
— Justin Hart (@justin_hart) April 24, 2023
This was backed up by another Tweeter:
I have a longtime friend at Fox News. He just texted me that Tucker was planning a segment to destroy the 60 Minutes Epps episode.
Exec Producer Jennifer Rauchet told him he couldn't run the segment so he quit.
— Snoop Bailey (@realsnoopbailey) April 24, 2023
And he feels vindicated, slightly, by Mr. Ali’s tweet:
Checks out ⬇️
Murdock didn't want him talking about J6 or Epps. pic.twitter.com/yfInNLNowa
— Snoop Bailey (@realsnoopbailey) April 24, 2023
Again, we don’t know if any of these people are telling the truth. Further, even if they were being honest, they still might be wrong. ‘Snoop,’ for instance, doesn’t tell us who his source is so we don’t know if this is hearsay from a person who had direct knowledge, ‘double hearsay’ (hearsay within hearsay) or worse.
However, it is fair to point out that the two stories might be reconcilable and it does start to answer the question ‘Why now?’ To engage in speculation, it may be the case that Carlson said something like ‘Either we air the segment or I walk!’ and Murdoch decided to say something like, ‘Fine, then walk.’ In that situation, it is easy to see how someone hearing Murdoch’s version might think Tucker was fired, while from Mr. Carlson’s perspective, he quit. We don’t know if that is true, but it would reconcile Ali’s version with these rumors.
Regardless of what the truth is, it seems like more sunlight is a good idea:
Tucker should hold a press conference today and lay it all out.
— SazzygirlinCali (@RjbRocklin) April 24, 2023
Amen to that.
Of course, the problem is that Carlson might not be able to speak right now due to a non-disclosure agreement or non-disparagement agreement. He might really want to explain what happened and not be able to without being sued into oblivion.
Meanwhile, there is apparently a dispute between Don Lemon and CNN regarding his departure:
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
As noted by the community notes, this is disputed by CNN itself:
Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023
Hat tip to Tweeter Fusilli Spock who tweets:
I'm not sure who I trust less https://t.co/Y99iOWF86W
— Fusilli Spock (@awstar11) April 24, 2023
Of course, since he is apparently from the Star Trek evil mirror universe, we really can’t trust him. (Yes, we are kidding.)
Also, Aaron Rupar, who is one of the least trustworthy voices on Twitter, makes this claim:
according to the NYT this interview that Don Lemon conducted last week with Vivek Ramaswamy played a role in his firing. Note co-host Poppy Harlow sitting silently while Lemon goes after Vivek. pic.twitter.com/Fjx5eX30wU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 24, 2023
So, where the Tucker Carlson rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, this should be taken with an entire salt lick.
In any case, hopefully, the truth will start coming out in a definitive way in both situations.
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