Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said he felt bothered watching Trump supporters beat an Antifa member in a leaked text message.
The text message was in reference to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
Carlson's text message, which reportedly contributed toward the outlet's decision to split with the former host, was sent to a producer and obtained by the New York Times.
"A group of Trump guys surrounded an Antifa kid and started pounding the living s--- out of him," Carlson wrote in the text message. "It was three against one, at least."
"Jumping a guy like that is dishonorable obviously. It's not how white men fight."
"Yet suddenly I found myself rooting for the mob against the man, hoping they'd hit him harder, kill him," Carlson continued. A representative for Carlson said he had no comment, the New York Times reported.I really wanted them to hurt the kid. I could taste it. Then somewhere deep in my brain, an alarm went off: this isn't good for me. I'm becoming something I don't want to be. The Antifa creep is a human being. Much as I despise what he says and does, much as I'm sure I'd hate him personally if I knew him, I shouldn't gloat over his suffering. I should be bothered by it. I should remember that somewhere somebody probably loves this kid, and would be crushed if he was killed.
"If I don't care about those things, if I reduce people to their politics, how am I better than he is?"
The Times highlighted Carlson's comment on "white men," claiming this "revealed more about his views on racial superiority."
Last week, Fox News said the outlet and Carlson had "agreed to part ways" effective immediately.
Tucker Carlson Tonight was replaced with Fox News Tonight featuring a rotating host of Fox News personalities. Brian Kilmeade hosted the new program following Carlson's departure and was replaced by Lawrence Jones, who began hosting Fox News Tonight this week.
Shortly after the announcement of Carlson's departure, reports emerged suggesting Fox News creator Rupert Murdoch had personally called for the former host's ousting over concern related to Carlson's reporting on the Capitol riot.
The former Fox News host’s departure is also allegedly related to a discrimination lawsuit filed last month by former producer Abby Grossberg. The former producer never met Carlson. However, according to one former Fox News employee, Grossberg reportedly worked out of Fox News’ New York City office while the former host worked from his home studios in Maine and Florida, according to journalist Greg Price.
Grossberg was also reportedly a “severely underperforming employee and not competent with her work,” according to Price’s source who further claimed the former producer began complaining about her experience with Carlson and Fox after learning she may be fired for her negative performance reviews.
