Axios’ Mike Allen and Sara Fischer wrote that Carlson’s attorneys sent Fox an “aggressive letter” that “positions Carlson to argue that the non-competition clause in his contract is no longer valid – releasing him for start his own show or competing media company”.
There are rumors that Carson sent the letter before posting a clip to Twitter on Tuesday in which he announced he would be delivering “a new take on the show we’ve been doing for six and a half years on Twitter.”
During his scandal-ridden tenure at Fox News, Carlson brought this accusation to the public. The news you hear and read is basically a fabrication. A lie of the most subtle, devious and widespread variety. Carlson said, “Facts were deliberately withheld, along with proportion and perspective,” before praising Elon Musk’s Twitter as one of the last “free speech” outlets.
Axios explained the significance of Carlson’s demands and attack, writing, “Twitter’s decision would technically appear to violate Carlson’s contract with Fox, but his attorneys’ letter effectively argues that Fox broke the contract first. CONTRACT.”
The letter also accuses Fox and its executives of breaking promises made to Carlson, including “Rupert Murdoch himself”, who allegedly misled Carlson “intentionally and with a reckless disregard for the truth”.
According to Axios, “the letter alleges that Fox breached an agreement with Carlson not to disclose his private communications to the media and not to use Carlson’s private messages to take adverse employment action against him.” According to the letter, Fox also reneged on its agreement not to settle the defamation suit with Dominion Voting Systems “in a manner that would indicate wrongdoing” on Carlson’s part.
Puck’s Dylan Byers tweeted, “Tucker Carlson to relaunch his show *on Twitter* with the help of former Fox News employees.” In order to get out of his non-compete clause, he is willing to give up at least $25 million owed to him by Fox Corp. Notably, Carlson’s longtime senior executive producer Justin Wells was also let go by Fox News when Carlson was, but Wells is expected to be involved with Carlson’s new show.
Fox reportedly tried to “sideline” Carlson before his contract expired in January 2025 by offering the flamethrower presenter $20 million a year not to work, as Mike Allen reported on Sunday. Reports also suggest that Carlson was offered more money to leave Fox News by conservative outlets Newsmax and Rumble than he left on his contract with Fox News.