Tucker Carlson is “preparing for war” in the wake of Fox News’ surprise firing of him last month, Axios reported on Sunday.
Carlson, who was dumped by the network following his “it’s not how white men fight” text message that reportedly set off a “crisis” at Fox, wants out of his contract with the right-wing network so he can start his own media outlet or work elsewhere, according to Axios, which cited unnamed sources.
“His team is preparing for war. He wants his freedom,” one source told the outlet.
Carlson’s contract with Fox is set to expire in January 2025. Rumble and Newsmax have reached out to Carlson with offers that would pay more than Fox, Axios reported. Carlson also has met with Twitter head Elon Musk to discuss “working together,” according to the report.
“The idea that anyone is going to silence Tucker and prevent him from speaking to his audience is beyond preposterous,” Bryan Freedman, Carlson’s lawyer, told Axios.
A Carlson friend said the ex-TV host “knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and is ready to start drawing a map.”
The Axios report follows a story from The New York Times on Friday noting Carlson’s desire to make a return to TV and get Fox to “agree to a deal that would allow him to work elsewhere.”
Fox has reportedly taken a hit in the ratings department following Carlson’s abrupt departure in the aftermath of Fox’s $787.5 million defamation lawsuit settlement with Dominion Voting Machines.
Carlson has yet to announce his next career steps. His latest tweet included a video where he addressed fans but, in the nearly two weeks since, Carlson hasn’t made another post.