The Stream

The Brew: Tucker Exits Fox News … as Biden Prepares to Enter Race

By Al Perrotta Published on April 25, 2023 •

Al Perrotta

Happy Tuesday.

Think we’re going to make the Brew today an espresso. Can use the extra caffeine.

Tucker Carlson Booted, Continued

Monday brought the stunning news that Tucker Carlson has suddenly parted ways with Fox News. I wrote all about it in “What in the World?! Top-Rated Tucker Carlson Suddenly Cut From Fox News.”

Is there any new explanation for what happened? The L.A. Times reports Carlson was “pushed out” by Rupert Murdoch. Sources dismissed suggestions that the firing was connected to the massive settlement last week with Dominion. (Sorry NPR.) They say Carlson’s firing is connected to the discrimination lawsuit filed last month by a producer fired by the network. However, the L.A. Times also reports:

Murdoch is also said to be concerned over Carlson’s coverage of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, in which the host has promoted the conspiracy theory that it was provoked by government agents.

There was no insurrection, of course. And it has already been revealed in court that FBI agents were involved. Heck … there’s VIDEO. But you do you, L.A. Times.

However, the timing of Carlson’s ouster comes a day after 60 Minutes featured January 6 figure Ray Epps complaining about Tucker being “obsessed” with him and ruining his life. Epps denies working for the Feds. Carlson has often wondered about the strange saga of Mr. Epps.

Epps has somehow managed to avoid being charged with anything for January 6 despite his clear calls for people to enter the Capitol both on January 6 and the night before. He had also texted his nephew about “orchestrating” the protest. And footage aired by Tucker Carlson seemed to contradict Epps’ timeline for leaving the Capitol grounds. Grandma gets raided and hard time. He gets 60 Minutes. (The Federalist has more on the questions raised by the CBS interview.)

Funny. For all that, the L.A. Times describes Epps to the uninitiated as merely “participating” in the protests. Why is the media working so hard to elevate someone who at minimum engaged in behavior that has landed hundreds in the pen and the wrath of these same media titans?

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By the way, if the L.A. Times report is true, Murdoch has his fingers in his ears more than he does on the pulse of the American people. According to a new Rasmussen poll, a vast majority of American voters now suspect Federal agents helped provoke the J6 attacks. Some 65% think it is likely and 46% think it is Very Likely.

 

Some Reaction to Tucker’s Departure

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pins Carlson’s ouster directly on Big Pharma.

Megyn Kelly, who had the 8 p.m. slot on Fox News before her own departure, was happy for the host.

James O’Keefe, who knows a little bit about being forced out of a job, tweeted a 2020 picture of himself with Carlson, along with an excerpt from a recent Tucker Carlson Tonight monologue.

Then there’s always the Babylon Bee:

Which gets to The Stream poll of the day:

Is Fox News the Bud Light of News Channels?

According to Business Insider, by 1:30 Monday afternoon, Fox News stock had lost 5% of its value, for a $962 million drop in market value.

The memes are already starting.

Tucker Considering a Run for President?

Could Carlson be considering a run for president? You heard question pop up often during the day, especially in light of his passionate Heritage Foundation speech Friday night. The speculation is not new. In fact, Politico wrote about it in 2020.

We’ll see. Is he spending his new free time in Hawaii … or spending it in Iowa?

As Biden Prepares to Announce, New York Times Says He Might Want to Reconsider

Word is Joe Biden will formally announce his re-election bid today. Beware an internet crash as his 81 million voters rush to watch his announcement video. Seriously, the chorus of those saying “are you sure about this, Joe?” now includes the New York Times. The editorial board warned Biden Sunday to “take voters’ concerns about his age seriously.” Though to quote Indiana Jones, “It’s not the age, honey, it’s the mileage.”

Polls show younger Democrats think he’s “simply too old to be effective in a second term.” He’s been effective in his first term? But I digress.

“Concerns about age — both in terms of fitness for office and being out of touch with the moment — are legitimate … . But Mr. Biden has given voters very few chances to do just that — to watch him — and his refusal to engage with the public regularly raises questions about his age and health.”

The Times says if Biden does jump in he must provide “explicit reassurance” that he’s up for the job.

These days we’d be happy to just know if he’s up after noon.

Seriously, the subtext to all this is, “If Joe can’t finish his 2nd term, we’re left with Kamala Harris.”

Did you hear her latest? She was touting the abortion drug mifepristone, and how it was approved 20 years ago by the “Federal Drug Administration.” FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration.

We’ve got a VP who applauds non-existent agencies and a President who shakes hands with non-existent people. You just can’t make this stuff up.

One Final Tucker Note

Clearly Carlson had no idea Friday was his last show on Fox News. He ended it with a cheerful “We’ll be back on Monday,” while chowing down pizza with a hero pizza delivery man.

Who knows? Maybe he’s heading to the Food Channel. In any event, as the saying goes, “Leave ‘em with a smile .. and a slice of pie.”

Along The Stream

I write about the death and legacy of Dancing With the Stars lead judge Len Goodman, who died at the age of 78. “On the Passing of Len Goodman .. and the Return of Elegance.”

 

Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream, chief barista for The Brew and co-author, with John Zmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl at GETTR, Gab, Parler, and now at TRUTH Social.

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