On Monday, April 24, there was media shock that Fox News’ top star, Tucker Carlson, had already broadcast his last prime time show and he hadn’t even known it.
The ignominious firing of a top performer — often the No. 1 show on cable — seemed to strike a chord across America. But as his audience was generally only about 1% of the U.S. population and so many of us already switched to Newsmax, there was something incongruous about the collective reaction. It felt more like a death in the family, even if it was someone you didn’t see too often.
Why? Carlson was one person in the mainstream media who dared to look at things in a different way, even if sometimes utterly unpopular.
Whether you agreed or not, he articulated a certain point of view. This was generally the America First, MAGA lens: on the topics of the vaccine, Ukraine, immigration or President Trump, he was not milquetoast.
Paradoxically, the more popular he became, it appears the more he rubbed Fox News’ Rupert Murdoch the wrong way. Murdoch, a billionaire born in Australia, doesn’t have a natural love for the viewers. The audience is a necessary evil for him to deal with: Grab their money and use their numbers to wield disproportionate power.
What did he want to do with his power? Clearly, Murdoch expects to use it to prevent Donald Trump from being president again. If Murdoch can create a news blackout, there goes the “earned media” that was part of the secret sauce for Trump’s first victory.
It should make every thinking American shudder to envision himself as a mere pawn of Rupert Murdoch. He can never be president himself. What is so critical to our lives, amounts to petty jealousy of one billionaire of another.
Cindy Grosz — WGBB Radio’s “Jewess Patriot” — is heard in the New York tri-state area and was a Republican candidate for the New York 4th congressional district. She sees the Murdochs’ actions as another straw on the people’s backs.
“People are disgusted with everything. This just adds to the frustration,” she said.
As to Rupert Murdoch, she said: “It’s what we’ve known all along at Fox.” She points out the extremely controlled, formulaic programming at Fox News: “People are tired of watching Hannity, Ingraham having the same people over and over again. No one knows who to trust. Each one has to have a book out every year, they all say nothing.”
She is of the firm belief that competition between conservative news outlets “makes everything stronger.” Grosz predicts: “Eric Bolling is in a strong position to be a leading journalist.” Her advice to MAGA individuals today is, “Really research, read multiple books. Follow it up, see where it goes.”
In this moment, MAGA media are brothers and sisters in arms, and that’s about where it ends. Trump’s 2016 campaign manager, Steve Bannon, has his own show, War Room. But, he’s hot under the collar at what seems to be the Murdochs’ ploy, and has strong opinions. Bannon has suggested “... switch channels and get another primary news source.”
None of us have an audience of 3 million-4 million. But what we all can do, is commit to spreading the word to the best of our abilities – daily.
That means you. Think of the places where Fox News drones on: American Legion posts, holiday living rooms, country bars, and more.
Ask yourself, “What can I do to bring issues into the open, what can I do to build enthusiasm for Donald Trump’s re-election?”
We cannot allow the Murdochs to silence us, or trample our will.
Tamar Alexia Fleishman was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's youngest female solo violinist. A world-traveler, Fleishman provides readers with international flavor and culture. She's debated Bill Maher, Greta Van Susteren and Dr. Phil. Fleishman practices law in Maryland with a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and a B.A. in Political Science from Goucher College. Read Tamar Alexia Fleishman's Reports — More Here.
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