Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson joked about being fired from Fox News while delivering his first post-termination speech this Thursday in Oxford, Alabama.
“I’m probably the first unemployed person you ever invited to speak. It’s funny. I rarely give speeches because I’m working, and when I accepted this speech six months ago, I didn’t realize how much free time I would have. One never knows, does one,” he said to raucous applause, according to The Anniston Star.
Carlson “was in town as the guest speaker for the annual fundraising event for Rainbow Omega, a faith-based nonprofit organization providing vocational and residential programs to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” the paper notes.
He reportedly previously said he’d accepted the invitation “because I do love Alabama — it has everything that I like,” and because “in a sincere way, I support what Rainbow Omega does.”
Tucker gets a standing ovation last night in Oxford, AL at the Rainbow Omega charity event…his first public event since leaving Fox last week! pic.twitter.com/ucPMOpxX4s
— Brilyn Hollyhand (@BrilynHollyhand) May 5, 2023
Besides joking about his newly unemployed status, Carlson also reportedly dropped a bombshell revelation about former President Barack Obama’s presidency.
“Obama’s first term was how we were gong to get past race. I didn’t vote for the guy, but everybody I knew was excited, and so was I. We elect some guy I disagree with, but we get to the point we stop picking at the scab and move forward as one country — why wouldn’t I be for that? As a Christian, I was totally for that,” he said.
But, he continued, things didn’t turn out that way at all, particularly by Obama’s second term.
“All of a sudden we’re not post-racial. All we’re going to talk about is race and make each other hate each other on the basis of race. I have to say that I don’t travel a ton, but when I do no one ever comes up to me and even mentioned race of any color,” he said.
“No one has ever come up to me and attacked me on racial terms. I don’t think most Americans hate each other. I just don’t see that. I don’t think there is widespread racism in the country. I have never seen it — not one time,” he added.
Carlson’s speech occurred a day before Fox News reportedly sent a cease and desist letter to the left-wing propaganda group Media Matters demanding they stop leaking behind-the-scenes footage of Carlson that was previously recorded by the network.
“We write on behalf of FOX Corporation to clarify any misunderstandings Media Matters may have had regarding previously unaired footage that Media Matters has published in a series of articles headlined ‘FOXLEAKS.’ That unaired footage is FOX’s confidential intellectual property; FOX did not consent to its distribution or publication; and FOX does not consent to its further distribution or publication,” the letter reads.
“This proprietary material was given to you without FOX’s authorization. FOX demands that Media Matters cease and desist from distribution, publication, and misuse of Fox’s misappropriated proprietary footage, which you are now on notice was unlawfully obtained. We reserve all rights and remedies,” it continues.
INBOX: Fox News sends Media Matters a cease and desist over leaks of “proprietary material” in its FoxLeaks series. pic.twitter.com/eRL5DGJ2PX
— Julia Johnson (@juliaajohnson_) May 5, 2023
The irony is that the clips Media Matters has been sharing with the intent to hurt Carlson’s image have in fact been only making him that much more popular.
In one video, for instance, he could be seen and heard asking a female makeup artist whether pillow fights are occurring in the women’s restroom.
“Can I ask you a question? You don’t have to answer. It’s personal. I’m not speaking of you, but more in general with ladies, when they go to the ladies room and powder their noses, is there actually nose-powdering going on?” he says in the clip.
“Sometimes,” the makeup artist replies.
“Oh … I like the sound of that. Do pillow fights ever break out? … You don’t have to, you don’t have to … OK. Not in the bathroom. That’d be more a dorm activity,” he adds.
Watch:
FOXLEAKS: Tucker Carlson asks makeup artist if “pillow fights ever break out” in the women’s bathroom in new behind-the-scenes video https://t.co/M2d6THLRdq pic.twitter.com/vSRooVlzVH
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) May 4, 2023
Keep in mind Media Matters posted the video to hurt Carlson. That, however, was not what ultimately happened.
View replies to Media Matters’ post below:
You’re just making him look real, bro. That’s all you’ve got?
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) May 5, 2023
This just makes him more endearing. He made that lady’s day with his jokes.
— (@CallMeK1123) May 4, 2023
Tucker is incredibly polite to his makeup people. Lots of famous people treat them like dirt, so this actually shows how relatively gentlemanly he is.
— Dan (@DanAlternativ3) May 4, 2023
It must’ve been part of Tucker’s severance package that Fox release the best b-roll clips after he leaves, so it’s easier for him to find work somewhere else.
— (@TheSocrateej) May 4, 2023
LoL Matt keep these coming they’re so endearing! You’re going a wonderful job! Can do an expose` on the parking cone-sized butt plugs you have lying around in the break rooms at Media Matters next?
— Quite Frankly (@PoliticalOrgy) May 4, 2023
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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