Fox Has A Secret ‘Oppo File To Keep Tucker Carlson In Check, Sources Say
Fox News executives have a file on dirt allegations on Tucker Carlson in case he attacks the network after he leaves, eight sources in and around the network told Rolling Stone.
When Fox announced Carlson's departure on Monday, the network described the split as amicable, but according to a former Fox-On-Air personality, the host and some of the network's top executives are split over statements. "the worst". ". . Indeed, in private communications released last month in connection with the Dominion Fox lawsuit, the now-fired Fox host said one of those executives "hate us" and claimed that he was secretly working against him and other hosts.
But sources say Fox is ready if Carlson tries to burn the network he is leaving.
Eight people familiar with the situation told Rolling Stone that Fox News and its communications department, run by the notoriously aggressive Irina Briganti, were collecting damaging information about Carlson. A well-informed source calls it the "Oppo file". Two sources add that Fox is prepared to reveal some of its content if executives suspect Carlson of tracking the network.
The filing includes internal complaints about workplace behavior, derogatory comments about executives and co-workers, and claims the former prime-time host created a toxic work environment, according to three sources. (Carlson is currently the subject of a lawsuit from Abby Grosberg, a senior bookings producer, alleging a toxic and misogynistic work environment. The lawsuit describes repeated instances of misogynistic behavior online. , including frequent lewd and sexual discussions by female guests and public figures." Grosberg continued, "he continued, "Enduring a work environment that subjugates women based on hateful gender stereotypes, normalizes and demeans religious minorities, and ignores the mentally ill." They were "baseless".
A spokesperson for the network denied the existence of the Carlson file. "This is obviously absurd and absolutely untrue," the rep said in a statement to Rolling Stone. "We thank Tucker for his service to the network as a host and before as a contributor."
Many sources within the network disagree. "Irina would never be ashamed to wear these things," said a network source familiar with complaints about Carlson.
Over the years, Brigante and Fox's PR tactics have worked against their exceptional talent. For example, The Daily Beast reported in 2018 that "reviewed and verified 'outlet' emails show Fox's communications executives aired negative stories about some of its top stars, including hosts like Bill O. 'Reilly and Stuart Varney, the latter still an employee of Fox'.
These methods of keeping employees engaged are an open secret among current and former Fox News employees. Four former Fox News personalities have said Brigante likes to keep "dirty files" on Fox News talent, including one on Carlson.
A former Fox News host laments: "Irina tries to keep a file on everyone...Any talent like Tucker is going to have a lot of it; the others complain. They cheer her on and then keep it on file. is just a classic dirty trick".
"[Brigand] keeps files on everyone to ruin them," the Fox News host adds, before walking off. "It's classic Fox."
Sources say it's unclear what prompted Brigante or Fox News to use the file. It was revealed on Monday that Carlson had hired Brian Friedman, a top entertainment lawyer, to represent him after he left Fox. Rolling Stone had not received any comment from Carlson at the time of this article's publication. . Friedman did not respond to Rolling Stone 's request for comment.
It's also unclear exactly what caused Carlson's sudden departure. In addition to Grossberg's lawsuit, he was a leading figure in Dominion Voting Systems' lawsuit against Fox News, which the network settled for $787.5 million earlier this month. Before the trial, it was revealed that Carlson had experienced an increase in text conversations with other talent on the network.
“Do leaders understand the credibility and trust we have lost with our audience? Carlson wrote shortly after Fox News predicted that Joe Biden would defeat Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. 'is a mixture of incompetent liberals and high-ranking executives with great pride that he is about to fold".
Rough and tough driving is a major offense for Fox News and Fox Business, where those who cross the line can find themselves at the end of an unfortunate story.
Fox News has taken punitive action against departing employees in the past. When Megyn Kelly left the network in 2017 to host a morning talk show on NBC, it was reported that Briganti was trying to spread stories about the press star's low ratings at the time and asking fans of Will and Grace if she was on a show. it's gay Kelly has spoken out against Brigante, publicly referring to the "vengeful" Fox spokeswoman. Brigante's aggressive style is well known in the media. A 2016 New York Magazine article titled "The Silence of Powerful Fox News Media Activist Irina Brigante" quoted several Fox employees at the time saying that "one of the reasons they had no history of sexual harassment was that they were afraid that bandits would find out and discredit them. In the press".
A recent Fox News reporter said that Brigante wasn't afraid to use similar tactics against Carlson: "Irina is a fighter at Fox. She's very good at her job. I think she would be up for fighting Tucker. if he declared war."
Diana Falzon, one of the authors of this article, worked for Fox News from 2012 to 2018.