Topline
Executives at Fox News are holding onto a dossier that purportedly includes damaging information about the network’s recently ousted primetime host Tucker Carlson, Rolling Stone reported on Tuesday, offering some insight into the circumstances surrounding his sudden axing.
Tucker Carlson speaks during 2022 FOX Nation Patriot Awards at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock … [+]
Key Facts
Citing eight unnamed sources at Fox, Rolling Stone reports that the network’s executives have maintained a so-called “oppo-file” against Carlson, which they intend to use in the event he attacks the network and its leadership for ousting him.
The file in question reportedly includes complaints against Carlson’s “workplace conduct, disparaging comments about management and colleagues,” along with allegations of him fomenting a “toxic work environment.”
The network, however, has denied the existence of such a file calling the report “patently absurd and categorically false.”
On Tuesday evening, former Tucker Carlson Tonight producer Abby Grossberg appeared on MSNBC and accused Carlson and his executive producer Justin Wells—who also exited the network on Monday—of “breaking me and making my life a living hell.”
Tangent
During her interview with MSNBC, Grossberg alleged that Carlson was keen on spinning a conspiracy about how the FBI secretly infiltrated the crowd of rioters during the January 6 attack on the Capitol and was “ultimately responsible” for the insurrection. Grossberg claims she tried to push back against this and even cited an attorney representing one of the Proud Boys, who told her: “There is no conspiracy. Get away from this stuff. This is dangerous.” The show’s staffers allegedly responded to this by asking Grossberg to “find somebody else,” as Carlson was “really intent on this.”
Key Background
Fox News’ announcement of Carlson’s exit from the network on Monday was a major surprise that appeared to catch nearly everyone off guard. The exact details about the departure remain unclear, but various reports citing people within the network suggest he was fired, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the decision was made directly by Fox News Chief Suzanne Scott and Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch. Controversial comments made by Carlson in private had been unearthed during Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation case against Fox—which the network agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle. Grossberg’s two cases—where Carlson is named as one of the defendants—also feature the former primetime host heavily. The lawsuit alleges Carlson and other members of his team have created a workplace that “subjugates women based on vile sexist stereotypes, typecasts religious minorities and belittles their traditions, and demonstrates little to no regard for those suffering from mental illness.” Fox has dismissed Grossberg’s allegations and had placed her on administrative leave. Carlson has not yet publicly commented on the case.
Further Reading
Fox Has a Secret ‘Oppo File’ to Keep Tucker Carlson in Check, Sources Say (Rolling Stone)
Abby Grossberg: Tucker Carlson made ‘my life a living hell’ (MSNBC)
Ex-Tucker Producer Suing Fox News Has NINETY Recordings From the Network (Mediaite)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/04/26/secret-tucker-carlson-files-reportedly-held-by-fox-news-as-ex-producer-claims-she-has-90-recordings-of-her-time-on-network/