Tucker Carlson Takes Show to Twitter, Emphasises Importance of Free Speech – Controversial right-wing broadcaster Tucker Carlson has announced his plan to revive his show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, on Twitter. The announcement came after Carlson abruptly left Fox News last month, following a multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuit settlement.
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Free speech on Twitter
Carlson emphasised the importance of free speech, calling it “the fundamental prerequisite for democracy” and claiming that Twitter is the only platform that allows free speech. He criticised the limitations placed on what can be reported, stating that it leads to audiences being manipulated and consuming “a lie of the stealthiest and most insidious kind”. Carlson did not mention that not reporting previous crimes is a practice to ensure a fair trial for the accused.
Limits on speech
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According to Carlson, there are always limits to what can be said, but if those limits are bumped up against often enough, one will be fired for it. He added that rules defining what could be said were “filthy [and] utterly corrupting”.
Carlson moves to Twitter
Carlson chose to take his show to Twitter because it is “not a partisan” site and “the only one” that allows free speech. He claimed that Twitter has long-served as the place where the national conversation incubates and develops.
We’re back. pic.twitter.com/sG5t9gr60O
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) May 9, 2023
Similar moves
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Carlson is not the first right-wing pundit to move his show to Twitter since Elon Musk bought the platform in 2022. Anti-trans activist Matt Walsh also announced in April that he would be moving his podcast to the platform because he kept getting demonetised on YouTube for misgendering trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Response to Carlson’s move
In response to Carlson’s shift to Twitter, Walsh said it made him feel “very good” about his own decision. “This will become a major movement now… this is the free-speech platform”.
Huge news. Tucker is bringing his show to Twitter. I’m feeling very good about our decision to post our podcast to Twitter a few weeks ago. This will become a major movement now. Forget YouTube. This is the free speech platform. https://t.co/3H8G1MVzdt
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 9, 2023
Carlson’s controversial history
Carlson has a controversial history, having used his platform on Fox News to continuously attack the LGBTQ+ community, trans people, and other marginalised groups.
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