Rupert Murdoch told son Lachlan to fire Tucker Carlson during secret tarmac meeting last week
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fox boss Rupert Murdoch reportedly directed his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch to terminate Tucker Carlson after the enormous $787 million settlement with Dominion. The Fox News Network announced on Monday, April 24 that it is parting ways with the 53-year-old firebrand anchor, who has been associated with the network since 2009.
Now, reports have revealed that Rupert and Lachlan took the decision to show the door to the ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’ show host after a tense exchange at Dulles International Airport in Virginia last Thursday, April 20. The father-son duo was in the Beltway in anticipation of the Dominion Voting Systems trial at a Wilmington, Delaware courtroom, where they both testified before the case was sensationally settled on the eve of the trial. In the wake of the $787 million settlement, the 92-year-old Rupert told Lachlan that they had “no other option” but to terminate Carlson, who was negotiating a multimillion-dollar contract renewal through 2029.
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'The decision came from above'
Rupert then flew his private jet back to New York while Lachlan flew from Dulles to Los Angeles before returning to his native Australia. After reaching his home, Lachlan phoned Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott to direct her to inform Carlson about his termination on Monday Morning, April 25. “Lachlan told Suzanne to keep it brief and if needed say the decision came from above,” a source told Radar Online, adding, "There wasn’t any discussion or debate between Lachlan and Suzanne. There wasn’t much discussion between Rupert and Lachlan, either.’
The insider revealed that Rupert was also "furious over Carlson's coverage of the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol." It was also revealed that Carlson falsely considered himself a “protected species” because of his unusually strong bond with Lachlan, whom he considered "one of his closest friends" during his time at Fox News. However, he soon fell out of favor with Rupert, who was left raging after his ex-fiance called Carlson a "messenger of god," according to RadarOnline.
‘The definition of a quick kill’
“Age and experience have not made Rupert — and his heir apparent Lachlan — any less ruthless,” another source told the outlet, adding, "This is the definition of a quick kill and clean cut. Equal parts stealth-like and mystifying. Without fear or favor — and no time for a struggle." As per reports, Fox told Carlson’s lawyers that he was fired “with cause" concerning a lawsuit filed by ex-producer Abby Grossberg, who accused Carlson and Fox of sexism and harassment, alleging that his show's workplace was replete with examples of misogyny. The clause "with cause" indicates that the firm would probably try to avoid paying the anchor any severance compensation.
