Ron DeSantis heaps praise on Tucker Carlson after Fox firing: ‘Fantastic individual’
Host exited Fox News days after $787.5m Dominion settlement
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ron DeSantis has heaped lavish praise on Tucker Carlson following his firing by Fox News, calling the right-wing host a “fantastic individual”.
Carlson exited Rupert Murdoch’s news channel days after the company settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5m over election lies pushed by its hosts.
The Florida governor, who is expected to run against Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination, told Newsmax that Carlson’s departure from Fox News was “terrible.”
“Tucker Carlson is a fantastic individual. His show was fantastic and I think it was terrible that he was fired,” said Mr DeSantis on Friday.
“I think there is more to it, I don’t think it was really about Tucker, I think it is about some of this other stuff that is going on with Fox. He was someone who was willing to speak out and challenge the prevailing orthodoxies.”
Sandy Hook denier Alex Jones finds himself at centre of hoax Tucker Carlson call
Tucker Carlson ‘plotting to host GOP debate’ despite being axed by Fox
Newly leaked video shows Tucker Carlson calling Dominion lawyer ‘slimy little motherf*****’- Tucker Carlson caught on tape mulling ‘if I ever get fired’
Tucker Carlson told everyone who he was and no one believed him. Now will they listen?
And he added: “He is talented, he is funny and it was a great show.”
Mr DeSantis is not alone in his praise for Carlson, a conspiracy theorist who has been accused of pushing a white nationalist agenda.
DeSantis: Tucker Carlson is a fantastic individual. I think his show was fantastic. pic.twitter.com/RbTQiznB7a
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 6, 2023
Mr Trump has also defended Carlson, who in private text messages wrote of his “hate” for the one-term president.
“Tucker was insightful, interesting, and ratings gold,” Mr Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “He will be greatly missed.”
And Mr Trump also told Newsmax of his surprise at learning of the firing.
“I’m shocked,” Mr Trump said. “I’m surprised. He’s a very good person and very good man. And very talented, as you know, he had very high ratings. So, we’re just learning about it almost as we speak ... that was something, that’s a big one.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments