MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan recently expressed skepticism about reports that Fox News dropped star host Tucker Carlson after discovering a racist text message. The New York Times reported that in the message, Carlson described watching a video in which three white men attacked an “Antifa kid,” claiming that the men were “dishonorable” because “that’s not how white men fight.” He also admitted to wanting them to murder the kid, later expressing regret for that sentiment.
Hasan, speaking to MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, said that although the content of the text message is shocking, it’s “not that surprising” given Carlson’s history. Hasan reminded viewers of Carlson’s promotion of the “great replacement” theory—a neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic conspiracy theory—which led the Anti-Defamation League to call for his firing. Fox News, however, chose to stand by Carlson.
Hasan also mentioned other racist comments made by Carlson on air, questioning whether the Fox board had been watching his show for the past few years. He referenced how, five years ago, the neo-Nazi website Daily Stormer called Carlson their “greatest ally” and referred to his show as “Daily Stormer: The TV Show.”
Hasan concluded by saying he doesn’t think the full story has been revealed yet. Fox News parted ways with Carlson just days after the network agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle a defamation lawsuit regarding lies about the 2020 presidential election without providing a reason for his departure.
